
MMEDIATE JEWEL 
OF HIS SOUL 



HERMAN DREER 





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Xor.e will barter the immediate jewel of his soul.” 



THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF 
HIS SOUL 


A ROMANCE 


Be HERMAN DREER 

» 

AUTHOR OF “OUT OF THE UICKT” 


&!. Conte, ffln. 

THE ST. LOUIS ARGUS PUBLISHING COMPANY 
1919 



Copyright, 1919 

By 

Herman Dreer 
All Rights Reserved 


To 

My Wife 

To the Pioneer New Thot Club 
To All 
Of Those 

Who Have Passed and Will Pass 
Thru 

Virginia Theological Seminary 
and College 
That Monument 
Of 

Negro Achievement 
I Dedicate This Work 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF 
HIS SOUL 


CHAPTER I 

Be gone, my son, and greet thy way, 

I cannot lead another day, 

I’ve led thee to the heights I know’ : 

Take now’ thy life and make it grow. 

“Smith, you’ll be leaving soon, won’t you?” asked Henry 
Lee, a lad of eighteen and a classmate or William Smith, whom 
he addressed with an air of non chalance. 

“Yes,” was the melancholy reply, “and I feel lonely now. 
Think of the teachers I have learned to love, think of my class- 
mates and friends. It is not easy to give them up. After 
taking many precious years to form these ties, at length they 
must all be broken. I go out into the night. And for what?” 

“For the greatness that is yours, for the striving. You 
are young and if, as Reverend McCall says, our last days are 
often our best days, much that is good is merely waiting for 
you to claim it. Cheer up ; the best is yet to come 1” said 
Henry, trying to radiate some of his own sunshiine. 

“That sounds fine, yet I deeply grieve that this time at 
last has come.” 

“Now, Smith, old boy, be serious* but not too serious 
Get some ginger into you. You know the pagan philosophy : 
Eat, drink, and be merry today, for tomorrow we die?” 

(i) 


2 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


“Yes> I know it well. Our Sunday School teacher has 
mentioned it often.” 

“Well live it — to some extent any way. This much at least 
we may accept from the ancients. There must be joy as well 
as sorrow. 

‘.‘You arc doing no mor: than many a man has 1 done, who 
was eager. to rise. To advance in any way, we must give up some- 
thing we love. It may be home, treasures, friends, or even 
life itself/’ So history has taught us. If we risk nothing, 
we gain nothing." Remembering the event planned for 
Smith tor that evening, Henry did not give William a chance 
to reply; but took the whole situation in hand, saying, “Well, 
old boy, I must be going. You know why. But understand 
my young man, tho this occasion is planned for you, if you do 
not watch sharply, I’ll have nnre re-il fun than you. You’re 
putting on; trying to be serious. Just wait till the girls get 
you tonight. You’ll be serious all right. 1 know oou.” 
Henry hurried off, excusing himself with perfect tact and de- 
corum. 

William Smith, who has just formed our acquaintance, even 
in this tilt with Henry Lee, behaved in no unaccustomed way. 
A proud son of Africa, whose blood had not been adulterated 
by the vicious stock of any land, he towered six feet, 
with a massive aphysique» a genuine black prince, a king of 
kings. His broad shoulders were capable of any human task, 
and his hands, tho calloused by much gruesome toil, were equal- 
ly ready to answer the call of ciscumstance. A glance at his 
flowing, crimpy hair, his sparkling honest eyes, and his pearly 
teetln at once commanded grave respect and lingering admira- 
tion 

As he moved along Randall Street of a cosmopolitan eastern 

town during the latter part of August, after his high school 
graduation, he thot of the deep mystery of human existence. 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


3 


In the midst of this particular meditation, he met Henry Lee. 
What he said we already know. 

Smith, like a happy connoisseur, surveyed the situation 
grandly. How well he knew that preparations would be e- 
laborate ! Did Pilgrim Tabernacle ever indulge in anything 

insignificant? He could not recall an instance of such. At 
last those willing members were making ready for him. Was 
he worthy of this care? 

Call to mind what he had seen. All were eagerly bent 
cu a merry occasion. Members, old and gray, had long fin- 
ished appetizing cakes embellished with scrupulous care with 
many comely designs. Women of middle age so well prepar- 
ed the choice meats* that even the most fastidious could uter no 
compla'nt. Nor were the younger set without their special 
tasks. They prepared the salads, decorated the dining hall, 
and scattered prophetic greetings of great joy. Smith knew 
that the bustlings of these cheerful souls was a wish ; he won- 
dered if he deserved it. 

Then came another question provoked by the friendly in- 
tercourse with Henry Lee, “How can I repay them?” These 

question-: and others crowding William, at some time face us 

all. 

Upon the sea of life we all must sail, and whether we 
would have it so or not, our own pilots we must be. Friends 
and relatives will cheer us, near and from afar; but glory is 
before us, happiness within us, and victory continually at our 
side. And tho we founder, we will not fail; worthy of the 
strife, the gift* and hope, we cruise along successful ever more. 


CHAPTER II 


The guests are met, th feast is set, 

May’st hear the merry din. — Coleridge 

The dining hall of Pilgrim Tabernacle was sufficiently 
spacious to accommodate at its tables three hundred persons. 
On occasions of great significance, however, these did not suf- 
fice. Whether this particular evening could be so construed, 
few would categorically declare. Still as it was to be an affair 
of great moment with the young* who always patronized their 
social functions in great numbers, the committtee on arrange- 
ments wondered whether the hall was large enough. 

William, who was to be feted by his church, was well be- 
loved by all the members. Who did not know his interest in 
the old and young, especially his honored devotion to the little 
folk? What important event occurred there in which he had 
not taken part? Brought to Sunday School as soon as he 
could talk, under its spiritual guidance he had flourished and 
worked in a way that was highly gratifying. For four years 
he had been president of the Young People’s Circle; from the 
age of twelve he had aided the choir, first as tenor and after 
his voice changed as leading baritone : and when the older mem- 
bers desired an impressive home missionary* he ended their 
predicament by offering his services — in short all the activities 
of Pilgrim Tabernacle h£d been touched and bettered by his 
personality. 

Now that this excellent young man had graduated from 
Madison High School and was about to make preparation for 
his life work, the Church was honoring him with a reception, 

(4) 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


5 


as an expression of their appreciation of his manly conduct 
and their hope for his constant achievement. The Church 
also had said it would come. Confronted thus, the Contmitte 
was considerably embarrassed as to how to meet the situation. 

Here was a throng of honest, sturdy young folk, equally 
ready to give and to receive. Remember it is more blessed to 
give than to receive. Is that true? At least the ministers 
have preached it. Yet when we think of the barriers of life, 
we say, “Let the rich give and the poor receive.” If this were 
logically followed, where would the churches be ? Among our 
people, commonly the well-to-do withhold, hut the poor give 
their all. Shall we condemn their depths of zeal? “Judge not 
that ye be not judged.” 

How excellently did they dignify this occasion with a sim- 
plicity much in contrast with the elaborately decorated hall! 
The ceiling was wrought with an intricate yet delicate bas-re- 
lief, from the center of which was hung a chandelier with a 
Jbrazen circle of sixty lights. The walls w.ere frescoed with 
pea green as a border .above and below for many carefully de- 
picted. Biblical scenes. For this occasion, however, there were 
added bunting, and runners of crepe paper in twirls and undu- 
lations. This unostentatious adorning gave prominence to the 
six tables extending almost the center length of the room. Yet 
no less attracive was the virgin, white cloths and the vases of 
roses and carnations equi-distantly placed, which rested beau- 
tifully upon them. At slight intervals from the flowers there 
were Jancy dishes of after-dinner mints, salted peanuts, olives, 
and dill pickles. Along the edge of these tables were dainty, 
blue plates on the top of which were paper napkins containing 
views of scenes presented in the poems of Paul Lawrence Dun- 
bar. Finally on each napkin rested an embellished cardboard, 
a star of triumph. In the center of the star was a tiny photo- 


6 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


graph of William Smith. Here was being enacted no unim- 
portant drama, but one of much consequence and great joy. 

If you want to see our hum61e people, where they express 
themselves most freely, where they are determined to try and 
achieve, see them in their religious endeavors giving out unsel- 
fish love. See them testify in public to the abundance of God's 
grace. See them minister to the sick and dying. See them 
cling to the faith of their fathers, tho others in like circumstan- 
ces “would take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing 
end them.” See them after they had been cheated and robbed, 
depprived of justice, lynched* scourged, or violated — at such 
a time as this, seeing them bearing no man a grudge, asking 
God’s benediction upon all people, black and white, saint and 
culprit, rich and poor. Each race has some distinctive virtue. 
Ours is to rejoice at the pleasure of our fellowman, to enjoy 
ourselves and not envy someone else’s enjoyment. 

Just before the ceremonies began, the chairlady of the 
Committee onArrangments and mistress of ceremonies* Mrs. 
Lulu Castle, accosted Mr. Grant Stevens, the chairman of the 
deacon board, “Mr. Stevens* have w.e not reason to rejoice? 
Our church lays just claim to having fostered the most unusu- 
al youth Williamsburg has ever seen. Just think how he has 
climbed with the growth of the church, year after year taking 
the iea&ng parts m our Sunday School programs, and when 
he became too old for that, producing concerts of the highest 
order !” 

After a few moments of reflection, Mr. Stevens asked, 
“But is’nt that the very reason why we should feel sad? Don't 
you see that thru him we have gained such a reputation, as w« 
may lose with his departure ? Who is going to take his place?” 

“No one, of course,” was the prompt reply. He alone 
can take his place. None can fill it for him. You can't fill 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HI8 SOUL 


7 


even your brother’s place* nor can your brother fill yours. Tho 
many don’t know it, we are all personalities ; and we can con- 
tribute our greatest blessings by wearing our own shoes, not 
those of others. If each member will be true to himself as 
William has and not play the hypocrite* Pilgrim’s reputation 
for attainment will not suffer in the least.” 

“I’m sure you’re right, Mrs. Castle, as you always are,” he 
said, jokingly. “My feelings, however, are mixed. You un- 
derstand me, don’t you?” 

“Yes — look,” she agreed, pointing towards the entrance* 
A sort of urbane hilarity and bustle were plainly apparent in 
that quarter. 

At this moment, the boys and girls of the Young People’s 
Circle formed a double line extending from the main door to 
the seat of the distinguished individual. The rows, in which 
each member seemed supremely happy, faced each other and 
formed as tho our young man was to run a gauntlet. As 
William entered, escorting Susan Lee, who of the young ladies 
of this thrifty town had impressed him most, the occupants of 
these lines clapped hands and cheered as homage to this un- 
crowned king. When he had reached his seat, he casually 
glanced at the wall before him. Seeing a curtain gradually be- 
ing lowered, he gave more than scant attention. Displayed on 
this choice fabric was the following character appraisement: 
A MAN IN WHOM THERE IS NO GUILE ! ! WILLIAM 
SMITH— A KNIGHT WITHOUT FEAR AND WITH- 
OUT REPROACH. 

At a sign from the mistress of ceremonies, all sat down 
to a sumptuous repast, made more gracious and appetizing by 
superb orchestral music. As the courses were being relished, 
sparkling humor gave the spice to life. During these glad mo- 
ments, it was difficult to discern whether Smith was the special 


9 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

company of Susan, for all of those within speaking distance 
had their distinctive claims to make. This evidently was not 
her day. 

When the dessert was eventually laid* Mrs. Castle called 
first upon the visiting ministers to speak. We have often heard 
that our ministers can always speak effectively after an excel- 
lent meal. Whether this is true or false, let others prove. 
Every speech on this occasion, however, was eloquent. The 
feast certainly might have been a stimulus, yet not so potent 
as the grand theme— THE DEPARTURE OF A BLACK 
jYOUTH OF GREAT ABILITY FOR A FAR COUNTRY. 
Each commended William’s untiring church work, his enthu- 
siasm to advertise and give strength to the Business League. 
Then, because of his many community interests, they hailed 
him the long expected Moses, a universal man. 

Finally, the pastor was presented, Reverend Andrew Ross. 
His speech was a survey of William’s entire life. When he at 
length announced that this young giant of energy had decided 
to prepare for the ministry* the satisfaction of the church was 
shown by long and loud applause. During this outburst, whis- 
perings among the older members seemed to say, “I told you 
so. God’s cause needs our best.” 

In closing, the venerable divine said, “Friends, we all have 
our ‘ups’ and ‘downs,’ but God who reigns on high is ever with 
us. This Negro race has suffered for weary centuries. But 
shall this always be? I think not. The night must end, then 
comes day. 

“When I saw our brothers lynched in the South, circum- 
scribed, rebuffed and scorned in the East, North and West* in- 
deed I did despair. I believed that progress was only degen- 
eracy, that civilization was barbarism, that love was hate. And 
just when I was about to vow eternal vengeance toward the 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


9 


white man, as Hannibal, the great Carthaginian, did to the Ro- 
mans, I saw the light, I saw a man. Booker T. Washington 
sprang up almost in the night and entered securely the affect- 
ions of black and white. He emphasizd economic freedom. 
Some wanted him to bring all things, but he was a specialist. 
He did one thing well. Yet since the economic by its very 
nature ramifies into the social, he raised his voice in immortal 
tones at the Atlantic Exposition and said that black and white 
could be together in all matters purely economic and separate 
in affairs purely social as the fingers on his hand. For me the 
problem was solved* for hope had returned. Then Du Bois 
kept hammering away with constantly increasing force for us 
to seek the paramount force in a nation, political freedom. 
Thank heaven, we are at last paying attention. Following in 
the train of these comes our promising youth. None but God 
can say that he will be as great as Washington or Du Bois. Yet 
the world can say that he will be our leader, our prophet, a man 
in whom there is no guile, a knight without fear and without 
reproach — William Smith.” 

Cheers at once filled the hall. How well Reverend Ross 
expressed their sentiments ! Had not William penetrated their 
souls, as deeply as human beings could? His sacrifices had 
been unusual. 

Resuming his remarks, the pastor declared, “Friends, we 
can not do too much for this lad. I have never seen his like. 
Besides the church in some impressive way should encourage 
each of its members that completes a school course. It should 
do something tangible for that person on each such occasion. 
We remember those who are kind to us. If the Church always 
receives and never gives, it is not doing God’s bidding. These 
young people, we must remember, will be in our places tomor- 
row. In the case of Smith, you may he helping to prepare 


10 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


your future pastor, for you see I am withered and gray with 

the frost of many winters. If this lad’s face were not black I 
should say without the lea-t hesitation, “Some day he will be 
president of these United States. He is equal to it, he has in 
him all the possibilities: but, friends, his face is black/’ 

Turning so that he could face the young man squarely, he 
said with full affection, “Smith, my gallant friend, the hope 
of our church, as an expression of our appreciation, different 
members will make special presentations in behalf of Pilgrim 
Tabernacle. In the name of the Lord, these gifts we tender 
you together with the continued support of the church for your 
schooling. Keep close to the cross and bear in mind his solace, 
‘Lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world/ 

Since you have unstintedly given given your life to these 
your friends and to this your community, God speed you on! 
May endless years never cease to sing your joyous march to 
hard earned victory ! Go with our prayers of triumph, go with 
our tears of love, go with our hope of blessing.” 

When this was done, William made his response. “Dear 
Christian friends, you graciously send me on, and I go. I 
have put my hand to the plow and will not turn back, for God 
is with me.” There were many “Aniens”. 

“Darkness is indeed before me. But is there no such a 
thing as endless night? No, 'The morning light is breaking. I 
know this, I know I have been bowed, I know I have at least 
touched the skies, if not in big* accomplishments certainly in my 
dreams of race distinction. Yet I am not most happy. I wonder 
how I shall do without you, your hand shakes, your prayers, 
and your devotion. I am trying to imagine how my unknown 
friends will be. Will they grapple me or will they leave me? 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


11 


*T must take the chance. For Humanity I will hazadrd all. 

‘Man am I grown, a man’s work must I do. 

Follow the deer? follow the Christ, the King, 

Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King, — 

Else, wherefore born?’ 

“With reverent thanks I accept your proffers of love, your 
gifts, and your devotion. They overwhelmingly humble me. 

You have given me a great responsibility, to prove to you dur- 
ing the coming years that my life will be what you expect. As I 
strive to learn the old and new of God, appropriately to enter 
His great service, happy recollections of this occasion will be 
a lamp to my pathway. I leave. 1 must. God calls me there; 
but I will return to you, my loving friends, and with you die, 
bringing in the sheaves.” 


CHAPTER III 


America, I love thy name, 

Tliou land of liberty. 

Does he too love who brings thee shame 
By hell’s hot savagery? 

These sons who hang or burn are thine, 

And they have served thee best ; 

Guarded our President benign, 

When doubtful were the rest. 

America, when we have died, 

To keep our country free, 

Will hate for blacks fore’er abide? 

What will thir portion be? 

The day following the reception at Pilgrim Tabernacle, 
found William speeding South. This trip brought him many 
novel experiences, the first of which he had on the train. Of 
course he had heard of some behavior which was peculiar to the 
South, but he did not begin to comprehend its full significance 
until this day. When he .entered a coach at Washington D. C., 
he found himself facing this sign displayed in yellow and black : 
COLORED. At once he knew he was in a Jim Crow car in 
the very capital of the Nation. Why was there this distinct- 
ion ? Did it mean that he was criminal, vulgar, or immoral ? It 
was simply because he was black. What a difference a color 
makes in America ! 

At once William began to ponder. He thot of Negro 
scholars who would be teaching in the best universities of the 
Country ; their hair was sufficiently straight, but their skin was 
not white. Thereupon William questioned himself as to 


( 12 ) 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


13 


whether the white people of the South were essentially differ- 
ent from those of the North. An expression of Tennyson 

quickly flashed itself before him — “Man is man/’ He conclud- 
ed then that the difference was only superficial, due probably 
to custom and education* or to lack of education. He knew 
that great men had come out of the South ; Washington, Jeffer- 
son and Lincoln. Were no more to come? He could not be- 
lieve it. 

These reflections called to mind an important circumstance 
he had noticed in many cities of the east, particular at the nat- 
ional capital. when the marine band gave its concerts. The 
national anthem which is “The Star Spangled Banner” never 
brought forth as vigorous applause as did the sectional song, “I 
Wish I Was in Dixie”. “Surely” surmised Smith, “that must 
be a delightful place.” Now he was going to DIXIE. 

With such musings, chiefly on the status of the colored 
people in America, he arrived at Cassida, a typical Southern 
town, teeming with the life of earnest people and wilful peo- 
ple alike. Sturdy Negroes were the laboring folk and they 
were masters of their toil, speedily carrying their merry bur- 
dens with many a merry tune. Here and there a straggler 
with jaunty pride casually looked on. But the good work nev- 
er ceased. Porters, truckmen with ease, courtesy and grace* 
and smiles that only colored men can give, busily made charm- 
ing history, strenuously made a happy land. 

While William stood outside the station observing this jol- 
ly atmosphere, he noticed two modes of address. While he 
was thus occupied, his uncle, Abbot Heywood, came up and 
said, “William, I was just about to go home under the impres- 
sion that you had missed your train. Give me your suit case. 
Come, we must hurry home.” 

“I’m ready* Uncle Abbot,” said the youth, turning from 


14 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


his observation of the throng and giving the old gentleman a 
very warm handshake. “I'm happy to see you Uncle Abbot. 
I hope you're all well. How is Aunt Carrie ? Are all well ?" 

“We're all in .excellent health, I assure you." 

“You must pardon me for a few days if I seem to be a 
little distant. You know this is my first time South. When 
I seem to have drawn myself almost into a shell. I'm think- 
ing hard, how I may adapt myself to what appear to be extrme 
artificial conditions." 

“I noticed that you were considerably absorbed with 
something, when I touched you." 

“Uncle Abbott, I deem this an excellent opportuity to 
study our people, my people at close range. I’m eager to see 
if the Negro in the South behaves as Dunbar and Chestnut de- 
pict him. I have resolved not to let slip the occasion to know 
them, for these are the people who gave me my existence, 
among whom I must live, whom I must help to get their 
heritage." 

“Bov, I tell you, you've got an old head on your shoulders." 

“This should not be considered unnatural. Reverend 
Ross, my pastor, regularly preaches concerning racial relations 
in the United States. As he talked one Sunday morning, I 
recalled my study of history and I could not bring to mind a 
single colored face that it contained. Upon going home [ 
searched my histories from cover to cover. Not a Negro var- 
rior or statesman there! I saw at once that we must write 
some books." 

“Probably you’re too reflective," the uncle interrupted. 

“No uncle, some times I wonder whether I think enough. 
You call me a boy. Grant that I am not a man in age, my 
sufferings and sacrifices have made me a man in experience. 
A Negro child one year of age is older by far than a white 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


15 


child born at the same hour; and by ihc time the white child 
is twenty-five, the colored child is forty.” 

"There's much truth in what you say.” 

Here his uncle took his suit case and started off. As 
they drove along, William askt. “Uncle Abbot, please ex- 
plain to me this circumstance. The colored people call the 
white Mister and Missis, the whites call the colored Uncle and 
Aunt. Is this a mark of ignorance on the part of our people 
or of the white? Is it fear on the part of our people and 
arrogance of the white? If the relationship is so close as to 
admit of ‘uncle’ and ‘aunt’ under any circumstance, certainly 
the relationship is not one-sided. Our people ought to return 
the compliment.” 

‘‘William, it’s this way. You up North don’t quite under- 
stand. Slavery has never been gotten out of the South. Before 
the war, there were the Mistress and Master ; now the Mistress 
has become Missis and the Master Mister; but the colored 
man has remained where he was. If we started calling the 
white folks Uncle and Aunt, the Rebellion would have to be 
fought over again.” 

"Uncle,” was Smith’s interruption, “we shouldn’t like for 
that to be ; but this distinction must end. We must be ad- 
dressed as we are.” 

“In the South,” continued Mr. Heywood, “there are a few 
colored people caked Mister and Missis by black and white 
alike. This few however are wealthy. 

“Don’t bother yourself about these matters at this time. 
Prepare for the happy moments you are to have with us.” 
Then turning the conversation as much as possible, he askt, 
“Has your journey been pleasant?” 

“Yes, uncle, just as pleasant as it could be under existing 
circumstances,” recalling those character forming events which 
had veritably engulfed him at Pilgrim Tabernacle. 


16 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


“But why do you say 'under the existing circumstances ?’ ” 
inquired the devoted uncle. “Has some recent occurrence sad- 
dened you?” 

Thereupon William related the details of the church re- 
ception. He was very fervid and enthusiastic. 

“We all are glad when there is even the slightest indica- 
tion of approval,” put in the uncle. 

“That was the greatest experience of my life,” remarked 
William, who as he related the story, lived again through the 
entire festivities. “The devotion of those generous souls ir- 
resistibly wove my career with the hopes of Williamsburg. 
They are my friends. They believe in me; and I in them. 
This tie I know can not be severed by time. I was happy 
there. 

“Such thots as these kept rising, as I journeyed here. I’m 
well aware when, absent from a friend. That's why I say 'as 
happy as circumstances permit.’ ” 

“Well, here we are at last!” exclaimed the southerner, as 
he stopt his brown roadster in front of his resplendent cot- 
tage, suggestive of the colonial style. Stepping from the 
buggy, he called, “Andy, Andy.” 

A stalwart farm helper scortched by many suns hurried 
around the house. Approaching the vehicle, he said, “Yes, 
sar; yes, sa-a-r; right heah.” 

“Give Prince some water, and then hitch up the carryall. 
I want you to get William’s trunk. You haven’t met my 
nephew, have you?” the planter said. 

“No, sa-a-r.” 

“William, this is Mr. Jones, my most reliable worker. Mr. 
Jones, this is my nephew, William Smith.” 

“Boy, I’se sure am proud to see yo’. Mr. Heywood talkt 
so much about yo’. We’d been terribly disappinted if yo’ had- 
n’t came,” said Andy bubbling over with joy. 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


17 


“Mr. Jones, I’m really glad to meet you,” said the youth 
shaking the gentleman ’s hand vigorously. 

Turning toward the planter, Andy declared, ”Mr Hey- 
wood, dat ain’t no boy a-tall, dat’s a man. I tell yo’ he sho 
did hurt my hand. Put him on my plantation and he’ll work 
the socks off all my folks.” He paused a moment and then 
said, “Well, I must be gone, be good to yo’self, and nothing 
can’t harm yo’.” With these remarks Mr. Jones hurried away. 

That afternoon as William sat on the porch indulging in 
many delightful reveries, he noticed a green bungalow trimmed 
in white, in front of which extended an incomparable lawn 
bordered with a stocky growth of hedge. The summer chairs 
and benches scattered here and there and the tall oak tree 
standing guardian over all made a scene both unassuming and 
picturesque. 

From the oak was suspended a swing, which was afford- 
ing great joy to a girl of six. On the porch sat the mother 
and two of her boys, one eight, the other ten. Happy was 
this industrous family, whose members by sacrifice and toil 
had become the foremost Negroes of that town Such as 
these America desires — energetic folk; and these were surely 
energet'e. 

The father, Christopher Loving, was president of the 
Union P>anking Institution, which did a prosperous business 
with both black and white. He had risen to this distinction 
thru h’s plantation and his construction company. The farm 
was handled by tenant farmers, the construction company by 
his eldest son. 

Having met all his relatives and gone over the farm to 
get an idea of the manner in which our people workt, William 
turned to the house and sat on the porch. He came there to 
read the life of Alexander Hamilton of African descent, a great 


IS 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OP HIS SOUL 


American statesman. The scene across the street had been 
somewhat distractive. This did not last long, however, for he 
was soon absorbed with that grand career. 

When he had been thus, occupied for a half hour, his at- 
tention was once more diverted. He scrutinized Mr. Loving's 
home again. Then he began to meditate, comparing what was 
before him with other residences he had seen, or imaged from 
his reading. Since this abode far surpassed the rest, he asked 
himself if he were not beholding the eighth wonder of the 
world. _ It was superb ; indeed a masterpiece of architecture 
and landscape gardening. What loveliness ! The mother and 
children made the scene complete. How happy they were ! 

As the young man now mused on and on, a rising noise 
caused him to look down the street. There he saw a crowd 
of turbulent individuals; men, women, boys and girls. Many 
of the children had just sprung from infancy. The men, how- 
ever were in the majority. With cursing and profanation they 
advanced in his direction, down Staten Street, one of the main 
thorofares of the town. He beheld that a few were masked. 
These alone had pistols. Approximately a score who followed 
them had rifles. Others had pieces of pipe or bars of iron ; 
the remainder carried staves, sticks, or ropes. William di- 
vined at once that this was a mob. 

As these blood thirsty people approached, their defama- 
tions continued. They were not intelligible to William, how- 
ever, at his distance. He learned later their nature, which was 
like this. Colored people who lived along the way were his 
busy informers. 

“Damn these niggers,” said one of the reprobates! “When 
they gits a little property, theys better’n white folks.” 

“Think of a nigger refusing to lend a white man money,” 
thundered another. 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


10 


“Keep the nigger down, he never was nothin’, he ain’t no- 
thin’, and he never will be nothin’.” How paradoxical their 
behavior was ! 

“We, po’ devils, have seen a nigger get rich while we stay 
po’, even after we saw to it dat dey didn’t hab no schools,” 
remarked the first speaker. 

“If we let dese niggers go on dis way, dey’ll soon be run- 
ning de gov’mint,” came from another. 

“Whiles we're at it, let’s do a turnkey job. Clean up the 
neighborhood, run all these niggers out of town dat’s got 
prope’ty. Dey's not de ones dat wuk fo’ yo’ no way.” Many 
a remark of this kind was uttered by many an ignoble throat. 

When William informed the household of the disturb- 
ance, there was general consternation. They wondered what 
to do, where to go. They bustled about a few moments in 
great anxiety but returned to the place where they were be- 
fore. “Have mercy, Lord, have mercy,” said one. Then fol- 
lowed groans, mutterings, and sighs. 

Seeing nothing done to alleviate the matter, the visitor 
askt, “Is there no way to stop this, but who are they after? 
They must be very close now ; and they are headed this way.” 

This utterance only increased the alarm. “Can’t we stop 
this?” he repeated. 

“Not at all,” said his aunt resignedly. “There’s nothing to 
do but take it. Oh, it’s so dreadful to have to live thus !” 

“It's a disgrace to us and to the Nation, particularly to us 
to tolerate such outrages,” he spoke in great anger. 

“You’re from the North, William, you don’t understand 
the South,” affirmed the aunt, apparently trying to palliate 
the matter. 

“If to suffer thus is necessary to understand it, God give 
me ignorance! No, I don’t understand. I never will. Let 
me have a pistol or a rifle, and let me take several men and 


20 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


break up that mob. You tolcl me scoundrels don’t live on 
this street. They are after some one who deserves to live. Even 
if it is a Negro criminal, they have no right to break the law. 
They're just a bunch of cowards. A few brave men can end 
this. Give me a gun or a rifle,” he demanded. 

“William, we haven’t any. Andy was saying we ought to 
have them in self-defense,” she remarked. 

“Well, Aunt Julia, I didn’t think you'd try to live down 
here, where the lives and property of our people are not pro- 
tected by the law, without a good supply of fire arms and ample 
ammunition. The honor of our women are not even safe here. 
The constitution of the United States allows a man to defend 
himself in his home. A man’s home is his castle,” he pro- 
tested. 

“Sam Halloway had arms, but the policemen went into 
his house and took them,” she said. 

“Auntie, if anybody respects the law, it is the colored 
man. And this talk of the proportions of Negro crime is all 
bosh, as long as white men make these criminals. Read some 
of the studies in the race question made by even white men 
and if you read between the lines as well as the lines, you’ll 
see that many planters want Negro criminals. Many of them 
get their wealth from Negro convict labor. Such a system is 
profitable for them. 

“The colored man respects the law 1 , but the law does not 
respect him. lie must now demand respect of the law. How 
can he do this? By being a man, by stopping this business of 
turning the other cheek. If the law will not protect him, he 
must protect himself. 

“He must grasp the situation. No policeman is allowed 
even by the law to cross your treshhold and search for any- 
thing without a warrant. Besides that warrant should «tate 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


21 


exactly what he is searching for. If you have been living re- 
spectably, he has no business with a warrant to search for the 
means by which you defend your home. You shouldn’t take 
them out into the streets but you should use them anywhere 
on your premises in self-defense. And I shouldn’t let any 
policeman have them. 

“I’ve been interested in reading what has been done when 
authorities surmised that the colored people were going to 
defend themselves. The policemen rush at once to disarm the 
blacks, and let the whites keep their weapons. As I know this 
they’ll not get a weapon in my house unless I’m dead or dy- 
ing.” 

“William, calm yourself,” the aunt interrupted. 

“Auntie, I mean it. If I have lived as a man should live 
and a policeman came to my house, I'd greet him courteously 
and seek his business there. If he said he came to search for 
arms, I’d ask for his warrant and read it carefully. Then I'd 
return him the paper and tell him I forbade the search, for I 
must defend my. home. If he would rush in anyhow, he would 
go out a dead man. This is how I would act as a respectable 
citizen. Respectable Negroes do not keep arsenals. If I were 
a culprit, I’d act differently, I’m merely saying how the honest, 
law abiding citizen of any race should act. When the law fails 
to protect, a man must protect himself.” 

“I hope somebody will do something,” said the aunt piti- 
ably. 

“Well, I see this is work for all our people, to stop this 
humiliation,” he remarked now, becoming calmer. He thot 
of following the course of the mob and started for the front. 

“William, my boy,” pleaded the aunt, “don’t go out there. 
Aren’t you afraid?” 

“Satan himself couldn’t frighten me now.” he said and 


2fi THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

left without more ado. The others remained within thru ac- 
customed cowardice and scare. 

William angrily stood on the porch, and watched the mob 
at work. The outlaws had stopt in front of his uncle’s house,. 
Large numbers of them were on Mr. Loving's premise. As 
the mob comprised about a thousand, the street and sidewalks 
were crowded for quite a distance. Smith had to resist the 
temptation of throwing a stone, but he conquered himself 
upon deeming it only foolhardiness. He wanted the persons 
leaning against his uncle’s trees to move, but he held his peace. 

He saw a colored man of very stately mien, already 
beaten unconscious, dragged to the lawn he greatly ad- 
mired. The children had fled into the house. Mrs. Loving 
wanted to run too, but thinking that someone dear to her was 
involved, she stood upon the porch and faced the mob stol- 
idly. When she beheld the haggard face, however, her spirit 
was broken. She shrieked and screamed: “My husband, my 
poor husband! Spare my husband, he has done no wrong! 
We’ll give you all we have, but spare him. My poor husband, 
my poor husband.” 

The limp man with wandering eyes sputtered out, “No, 
dear, I worked hard for mine. The — rascals — shan’t — have — 
one — penny.” 

Hereupon one outlaw slapped him in the face and shouted, 
“Damn it. Shut up. Why should I worry? He’ll be quiet 
very soon.” 

“Chris, Chris,” called the w*ife forcing her way to her 
husband. 

Several ruffians pushed her back. Yet she tried to reach 
him, crying in the meanwhile, “Don’t kill him, spare him, I’ll 
give you whatever you wish.” 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


23 

“We'd rather put him quietly to sleep/’ someone 
answered. 

“Oh, God,”' prayed the devoted wife, “save my husband, 
save him. We have served Thee always. If ever I need 
Thee, my Savior ’tis now.” 

“If you don’t stop that damned hollering, we’ll get you 
first,” said one of the miscreants. 

“Take me,” she cried. “Do, but spare him.’’ 

“Here, John, gag her and leave her until we finish this 
job,” commanded the mob leader. 

That day the children saw their father lynched in their 
own yard, from their cherisht oak tree. They saw his body 
suspended and riddled with bullets, all because he would not 
make a loan to a White man of ill repute. They saw women 
and children enjoying this debauchery, as if it had been a 
theatrical show. 

The family was not even allowed the body. Dimpled boys 
and lithesome girls took parts of clothing as souvenirs and 
danced with ghoulish glee. Then excelsior was placed about 
the body, and many staves were lit. The flames quickly did 
their w r ork and the spectacle was soon at an end. 

Where were the officers when one of their foremost citi- 
zens was suffering this disgrace? They were calmly looking 
on, not attempting or daring not to oppose. They even beheld 
photographers taking views of the scene, views to be sold the 
next day as additional souvenirs. There was abundant evi- 
dence for prosecutions, but none were made. The next day, 
matters went on as if nothing disgraceful had occurred. 

What happens to people who lose their sense of shame? 
They hasten to degeneracy. America beware ! 

William stood upon the porch thru the entire catastrophe. 
Several members of the mob lookt at him, but that was all. 
When they had finisht, they straggled back, whence they had 


24 ‘ 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

come. The stranger watched them until they faded out of 
view. 

Looking across the street he saw the wife gagged and tied, 
stretched upon the porch. The little girl and boy were try- 
ing to relieve her. William went at once to her assistance and 
freed her from her bonds. She thanked him, while she wept. 
Then suddenly she became stolid and wiped her eyes. 

“This isn't the end of the sport. True, Tm a woman, but 
a woman can die bravely as well as a man. The devil must 
pay for this.” Then recalling that she had never met her sym- 
pathizer, she said, “Pardon any untowardness on my part, 
you’ll make due allowance for all unseemliness. I’m the wife 
— I was the wife — I’m the widow of the man you saw lynched 
— Christopher Loving.” 

“William Smith is my name. I’m the nephew of Mr. 
Heywood.” 

“He told me you were coming. I’m more than glad to 
meet you. Edward, my oldest son, will be delighted to see 
you. I'll see that he meets you. I thank you again for aid- 
ing me.” 

“Madame, I haven’t done anything. The kind of assist- 
ance I wanted to render I could not. Just think there wasn’t 
a rifle or pistol on the place! I wonder if they don't even 
have a shot gun. Well I hope our folks will get busy’ and 
break this up. But where is your son?” 

“He’s directing a job about five or six miles from here, 
but lie’ll be in soon.” 

“Madame, you seem rather calm in view of this disturb- 
ance.” 

“My determination for vengeance makes me so. The law 
of this state punishes murder by death. I’m going to permit 
the state ample time to do its duty. Now that my husband is 
gone,, life means nothing to me. If the state fails, I will per- 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL . 25 

form the execution. I’d recognize the scoundrels even at 
night.” 

“But what of your children?” 

“Benjamin, Lily,” she called, for they had been standing 
in the hall. “This gentleman is our friend, he is Mr. Hey- 
wood’s nephew.” They bashfully came forward and greeted 
him. Then the mother said, “Have no fear, they shall be pro- 
vided for The main thing now is this. I must not bear the in- 
sult alone. Those people who went from here do not feel that 
they have done wrong. They’re rejoicing as if they had won 
a great battle. Some of them must feel as I have felt. They’re 
going to be sorry for this.” 

Several hours after this, William sat dowtt to supper. The 
signs of anxiety had not completely worn off ; yet they were 
doing rather well at readjustment. During the course of the 
evening, William askt, “Uncle Abbot are our people doing no- 
thing at all to end this or to prevent its recurrence? It used to 
be that our men were lynched for rape, but now they are 
lynched because they steal a hog or because they have acquired 
a little wealth. I’m not satisfied with auntie’s answer.” 

“William,” began Mr. Heywood, “we thot that if we lived 
right, respected ourselves and the white people, that lynching 
would pass away. But we seem to have been wrong. Loving 
has been called by black and white alike the town’s ‘most 
honest man.’ Yet you see how honesty has been rewarded. 
God in his own good time will make the matter right.” 

“But, Uncle Abbot, what are we going to do in our own 
time?” 

“Just wait on the Lord.” 

“Heaven helps those who help themselves. Furthermore, 
does the white man wait? Isn’t the machinery even too slow 
for him?” inquired the nephew. 

“Well, they do at times seem impatient. Things must 


2 $ 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


happen for them rather quickly. For intsance, just the other 
day, Uncle Parker, as faithful a man as ever lived, went to 
Jenkins’ store to get some odds and ends. While he was there 
young Jenkins appeared — now a lad of twenty-three. 

“‘Hello! Jack/ said Uncle Parker, ‘Ise sho am proud to 
see yo’. 

“The father took a block of wlood and struck our poor 
brother such a hard blow on the head that he became uncon- 
scious. Til teach you/ he said, ‘to address a white man prop- 
erly. That’s not Jack ; that’s Mr. Jack, Mr. Jenkins.’ 

“The next day with head bound, Uncle Parker came back 
to the same store and said, ‘Mr. Jenkins, you know I nursed 
yo’ boy, till he went of? to skule. An’ Ise always called him 
Jack. I didn’t realize that time done made a difference. I 

“ ‘Well/ said Jenkins, ‘thats all right. Just see that it 
doesn’t happen again’.” 

“Do these crimes continually occur without being pun- 
ished?” askt William. 

“Yes, they do. And up in the country, sometimes called 
‘the back woods/ many of the atrocities never reach the press. 
I don’t know what’s to become of us” said Mr. Heywood very 
deeply moved. 

“Uncle Abbot,” affirmed William with unusual bitterness. 
“This day I consecrate my life to my people.* I have decided 
to enter the ministry, but I shall not merely preach, I shall 
work among all sorts of people, only to bring protection and 
freedom to my race. What I saw today will last me a life 
time. For your sake I kept quiet today. Hereafter I respect 
nobody’s feelings unless it is for the good of the race and 
humanity. 

“One such Loving is worth more than all the members 
of any mob. Yet the worthless live and the worthy die. AND 
’pologize. I’m sorry it happened. It won’t happen no more.’ 
THIS IS DIXIE. 


CHAPTER IV. 


Doubt thou the stars are fire, 

Doubt thou the sun doth move, 

Doubt truth to be a liar, 

But never doubt I love. — Shakespeare 

Now Smith was gone ! Williamsburg knew it. The Sun- 
day School mist him, the Church mist him, and so did the 
community at large. Of those who had become fondly at- 
tached to this interesting personality, none treasured him more 
than Susan Lee. Her father was one of the most accom- 
plished men of the town, whose efficiency was well known by 
virtue of his being* president of the Eureka Shirt Factory, 

His daughter’s advancement was his great concern. In 
order that she might impressively begin the battle of the sexes, 
he spared no pain that her debut into elite society might be 
unexcelled. Nor did he in this prove a failure. 

Susan, now eighteen, accomplished and attractive, resem- 
bled an Hawaiian beauty. She was somewhat more than five 
and a half feet tall, of excellent proportions, firm and robust. As 
she moved with stately grace, one would particularly notice 
her wealth of black, straight hair, and her delicately brown 
complexion. Nature had endowed her well, for even women 
who beheld her were entranced. 

Many were her suitors, but many she did not desire. For 
her there was only one — the valorous William Smith. Often 
she plaintively askt herself : “How is he to know this ?” 

“Wait until he speaks,” came the answer. 

Will men thus always be favored in such artifiicial socie- 
ties as our own — have numerous, excellent and superior 


( 27 ) 


28 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

chances of marrying, while the women have but a few? The 
woman wonders how long it will be before someone asks. Why 
should she wonder or wait for that which often never comes? 

Within the brief few months that had passed since Susan 
became a 'debutante, many undesirables had long since askt ; 
but the hope of her anxious nights, the pride of her noblest 
thot had not touched the exalted theme of love. This was not 
a pleasant recolection. 

To prevent that mood, lest she should be sad at any mo- 
ment, nature was doing its utmost to keep her well pleased. 
Rains not desired were kept in steady abeyance ; sultry, stifling 
days somehow had dropped out of sight. The leaves seem- 
ingly nourished with an extraordinary refreshment, preserved 
their former hue, untinged with crimson or autumnal brown. 
Hitherto at this season of the year, many had already danced 
their dance of death and vanisht with a sigh. But now they 
all made merry with the magic breeze, whistling melodious 
symphonies. 

Towards twilight, the day following William’s departure 
for the South, as easily as a nymph, Susan stept upon the porch 
of her gothic home, expecting company. Her cheeks were 
promptly kissed by a welcome breeze which seemed to say, 
“Be composed, my goddess, somewhere a lover’s true.” 

She started to arrange the chairs, then suddenly stopt to 
reflect. “Here I am,” she mused, “with great social opportun- 
ities, excellent home conditions, luxury and coveted preroga- 
tives; yet what I desire most, I fail to have. My soud craves 
William. Will the longing of my aching heart be satisfied? 

“He and I have been casual friends at a distance for 
several years, but our intimacy is just about two months old. 
His occupation and my hesitancy have prevented a declaration. 
He did say that he admired me. He promist also to write. 
But as we haven’t plighted troth, I’m a prey to much uncert- 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


29 


ainty. If I love him why may I not tell him so within a week in- 
stead of waiting for months of intimacy or even a year or 
years? Society considers such improper. Sometimes I wish 
I could give society a lecturing and then a genteel threshing. 

I may win him and yet I may not. 

“So many couples are mismated that I blame society. If 
women keep getting the wrong men, something is wrong with 
the social order. Probably a revolution is needed. Some 
sacrafices the group may justly require, but to deprive a 
woman of her love is often to court death. Well, I hope to 
win and li-i-v-e.” She sighed clasped her hands upon her 
breast, and bowed her head. Then she let her hands drop and 
thrust her head back in despair. A rustling of dresses caused 
her to turn and look. Her reverie had been interrupted. 
“Come up, girls,” she said, welcoming Thelma Haskell, 
Catherine Staples, and Letitia Straus — all debutantes. 

Quickly they greeted Susan and seated themselves com- 
fortably on the imposing porch, happy to chat of the event at 
Pilgrim Tabernacle. 

Before such a line of talk could begin, however, Thelma 
interfered. “Girls, watch me,” she said. “Is this the way?” 
All became uproariously absorbed in the perfect pantomine she 
was executing to portray Susan’s recent emotion. They 
laughed and clapped their hands. After assuming the attitude 
of despair, Thelma said, “Susan, you reminded me of Lady 
Macbeth and the merchant of Venice. What was troubling 
you? Tn sooth I know not why’ you are so sad. It wearies 
me!” 

“Thelma, you’re a regular old tease,” Susan remarked, 
enjoying the joke, even tho she was the butt of it. “I have 
my serious moments, sometimes impulsive ones. Just now I 
was obsest with both.” 

“But, Susan,” exclaimed Catherine, the daughter of the 


30 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


high school principal, “y ou were so dramatic !” 

“Hereafter I must be sure, that I am alone within my 
room, when I give full vent to my feelings,” protested Susan, 
now somewhat flushed. 

“Don’t you do it, don’t you do it,” urged Letitia naughtily, 
shaking her finger at her schoolmate, “don’t you dare do it 
for the world. It would be a shame to deprive us of the 
show.” 

“Do be serious, girls,” pleaded Susan, “let’s think of other 
things.” Yet she knew she would return to thots of him. 
“Tell me how you enjoyed the banquet.” 

“I know you enjoyed it,” was the prompt thrust of 
Thelma. “You were afraid we’d take him from you, but we 
had to talk to him a little. We couldn’t help it, could we 
girls?” 

“No,” was the quick response. It was somewhat annoy- 
ing to Susan. 

“You know he is so tantalizing, isn’t he?” ventured 
Thelma playfully. Her friend was now completely disarmed. 
“Don’t blame us,” Thelma continued. “We all have our am- 
bitions for the noblest. There is no sensible girl in this town 
who does not acknowledge him our best. It’s a game to win. 
Be sure you play it well. If he wants you, why, you’re his; 
if he wants me, then I am his. At present, however, we’re 
giving you the right of w’ay. The honor is all yours.” 

Aroused by this unusual demeanor of her friend, Susan 
said, “Thelma I appreciate your frankness. Many girls never 
would have said that; yet under cover they would have been 
doing their utmost to outdo me. Still I didn’t think Kate was 
more than passingly interested in William. Girls, I am going 
to give you a little bit of information. Some time ago, brother 
and I used to go together to socials. That’s impossible now 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


SI 


because of a perpetual, previous engagement with Kate, Kate, 
Kate." 

“Now, Susan,” smiled Catherine, “Henry knows where he 
stands in my affections. Yet I may be interested in others and 
others interested in me. Do you think Henry's admiration for 
me would go far, if I couldn't arouse the commendation of 
his associates? Furthermore, if no other girl desired him, I 
shouldn’t either. I — I couldn't be jealous. And what's the 
use of loving, if you can’t be jealous?” 

“A-a-ah, Kate, aren’t you ashamed of yourself. I'm going 
to find Henry and tell him what you said !” ejaculated Letitia, 
rushing from the porch. 

She hadn’t gone far before she was overtaken. “No, 
you won't gasped Catherine, holding her friend firmly. 
“You’re going right back on the porch, like a good, little girl.” 
There were many outbursts of laughter. 

“You know I shouldn’t be so bold,” said Letitia, taking 
her seat. 

“But I had to make sure,” remarked Catherine, now at 
ease. “Should you have told, how could I meet him after 
that?” 

“It would be difficult, I know,” declared Susan, 
glad that the joke had fallen on someone else. Then turning 
the conversation, she said, “Now, girls, let’s be serious. We’re 
all interested in particular young men, whom we hope to 
marry. I’m interested in William.” 

“Interested!” they said with surprise, “You’re wild 
about him!” 

“I was going to say crazy about him,” Letitia declared . 

As if nothing had occurred other than a common in- 
terruption, Susan smiled and went on. “Kate dotes on Henry, 
Letitia claims Sinclair Young; and Thelma — Thelma worships 


32 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

Beckett King.” 

Thelma stared at Susan, as if in amazement, laughed 
heartily and then said, “Girls, doesn’t she put the case well?” 
She began to mimic her chum. “Kate dotes on Henry, Letitia 
claims Sinclair, I worship Beckett, and she is interested in 
William. 

The bantering now ran high. All were quite happy. 
After surviving the storm she had raised by her careful de- 
lineation of the les affaires d ’’ amours , Susan resumed what 
she had planned to say. “Often girls are so very much afraid 
that one will take their beaux, that they manage their own 
heart’s troubles even without the advice of their parents. 
And when the dear old people become aware of the situa- 
tion, the girl is either engaged or ready to announce- her 
marriage. On the other hand, frequently for lack of advice, 
they lose or choose improperly. Because of this, since ours 
is an age of co-operation— so says Reverend Ross— I was 
thinking that we of the twentieth century should not be above 
advice, even the advice of one another.” 

“I believe you’re right, Susan,” said Letitia. “Conse- 
quently I’m willing to teach or learn.” 

“What do you think of the idea, Thelma?” inquired 
Susan. 

“You know I’m strictly modern,” was her terse reply. 

“And you, Kate, are you with us?” inquired Letitia. 

“Yes,” she said, and paused, “for better and for worse.” 

Then Susan spoke again, “Of course we always have 
the counsel of our parents, but it’ll be excellent for us oc- 
casionally to have our own experience meetings. What I’d 
like to know is this. What should a girl do to keep first palce 
in the affections of a young man while he is away at school?” 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OP HIS SOUL 33 

Merriment arose afresh. “Isn’t she interested ?” said Le- 

titia. 

At this point, a young woman and her escort passed 
by. The lady’s dress at once attracted their attention. It 
was a pink georgette, elaborately trimmed and draped. “What 
do you think of that?” askt Catherine. 

“For once let us not discuss dress,” Thelma entreated. 

The girls agreed. Then Catherine, very eager to get her 
friends’ ideas on the question proposed by Susan, urged them 
to return to business. “I have a thot you might consider. 
In many cases I do believe it helps. If the young man in ques- 
tion is fondly attached to his mother, tactfully court her as 
well as the son. To win her is to gain half the battle. And 
whether the relationship between mother and son is unusual 
or not, to enter the mother’s affection certainly makes the 
task easier. 

“At last I understand you,” came from Susan. *‘You 
sly fox, Kate, you’re not satisfied to win the mother. You’re 
courting the whole family. I see now why you call frequently.” 
Catherine blushed. 

“You mustn’t embarrass her, Susan,” Letitia interrupted. 

“I just have to be naughty sometimes. If I had to be 
good all the time I suppose I’d soon die from congested emo- 
tion,” Susan responded. 

“Well, my suggestion,” spoke Letitia with a somewhat 
staccato effect, “may be astounding, but you’re under no com- 
pulsion to follow it. I’m perfectly willing to use Kate’s ster- 
ling counsel ; but I couldn’t make a supreme sacrifice and lose. 
I think it would kill me. 

“Knowing myself to have this temperament, I have de- 
termined during Sinclair’s absence to enjoy myself with all 
the boys equally — that is, the desirable ones. This is my way 


34 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


of getting out of the dilemma. Having thus a great ejection 
for Sinclair and a slight interest in many boys, I could lose 
Sinclair and yet live.” 

‘‘I see nothing shocking in that,” said Thelma with great 
firmness. “I have known many girls who have staked all on 
one and lost. Then they became overwhelmed with a grief 
that caused poor health or death. Isn’t my sister Julia just 
such an example? All absorbing and disappointing love! 
This love all for one and one only may be romantic, but it’s 
dangerous.” 

“Besides,” said Catherine, “your choice must be between 
many, a few, and none. Who of us would say /Refrain from 
the company of all young men during the absence of the lover?’ 
If we’re to marry them, we should first know them; not just 
one, but many. To do this, contact is necessary. Now is 
the time to learn thoroly.” 

“Kate, I think I’m forced to agree with you; for if you 
have an exclusive few, one will very likely be preferred,” said 
Susan, “and probably develop the strong possibilities of a 
rival. Whether this is true or not, the public will soon single 
out a specially favored one and conclude that the absent 
friend has been superseded. Before long, some officious per- 
son will be writing your beau that he hasn’t a ‘ghost’ of a 
chance.” 

“Yes,” remarked Letitia, “some people are very meddle- 
some. I, too, think it better to be about equally interested in 
all here, with a supreme affection for the one absent.” 

“One circumstance, however, we should not forget, for 
it is the staff of parted lovers — it’s correspondence,” Thelma 
declared. “Of course, all lovers write to each other; yet, 
judging by what I’ve read, I can not believe that they’re 
aware of its significance. We can not make too much of this. 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 35 

A few years can make a mountain of difference between us. 
During that time we should not let the boys get ahead of us. 
As they grow, we should grow. They go away boys, but 
come back men. 

“Do you remember Wright’s ‘The Shepherd of the Hills’ ?” 

“Of course we do!” they replied, and began at once to 
discuss different parts of it that they liked best. 

As soon as she got the chance, Thelma continued where 
she left off. “You recall then that Ollie Stewart, who had 
been early betrothed to Sammy Lane, changed so much in 
the few years he was absent, that she could not marry him. 
The qualities that led her to love him were no longer there. 
This is human nature. 

“What we must do is to discover thru frequent cor- 
respondence our lover’s new outlook on life as it comes. Then 
we must go to the library, get some books and read along 
that line. We must do more. We must think along that 
line with thinking people. At length, when our young man 
comes from school with his new ideas, to us at least they will 
be old, familiar friends.” 

“Bravo!” exclaimed Susan. “Has Socrates come back 
again ?” 

“I hope you understand what I mean,” she continued, not 
at all flattered. “So long as the natures of the young man 
and young woman blend in ideals, the marriage is likely to 
be a possibility. If it does occur it will very likely be a 
happy one. It is because girls have neglected this fact that 
very few early sweethearts marry; that men as a rule marry 
not the home girls, but girls where they pursue their life work 
— at least where they begin it.” 

“But if we write frequently,” inquired Susan, “may we 
not be too forward? Mamma says we should write occasion- 


36 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


ally, and be patient and wait.” Here she recalled the ideas 
that ran thru her mind, just before her friends appeared. 

“My answer is this,” was Thelma’s impatient utterance: 
“If the mother is to marry the man, let her do what she 
wishes. When the time comes for me to marry, however, 
and I see the man I want, I do not promise to wait. Wait? 
Wait for him to choose someone else? I’ll make the fight of 
my life to get him; there’ll be no escape. If I lose, I shall 
certainly have the satisfaction of having made a good fight.” 

“How will you fight ?” Susan inquired. 

“Don’t you know?” said Thelma. “I’ll use all the arts 
of woman, and my own distinct accomplishments. I’ll make 
a study of winning men’s hearts and proceed accordingly.” 

Thus the girls went on until it was quite late. 

When Susan retired to her boudoir that evening, she brot 
before her all that had been said. How could she win? She 
had seen the man and certainly she loved him. Should she 
follow her mother’s advice or Thelma’s? Unquestionably she 
would write ; but should she risk all by making a disclosure 
and then launching the 'fight of her life?’ or should she wait, 
striving in the meanwhile by tact to force a declaration from 
him? 

“Susan, Susan,” her mother called. 

Then the tender maiden askt herself, “What did Milton 
say ? ‘They also serve who only stand and wait.’ ” 


CHAPTER V. 

We are in a world of changes ; and to be perfect is to 
change. And that person is most perfect who changes most 
often. — Newman. 

As very few of the members of my race have had a 
chance to attend a first c)ass college or university, they can 
not understand how those who come from such institutions 
do not take the same attitude towards the Church and religion, 
as they did before they went away. These brave boys and 
girls have fought strenuously day after day in sadness, trying 
to keep the old beliefs. The trouble is this: Almost every 
professor in these schools put such ideas aside long ago. Even 
the ministers who come to them do not hold such. 

These facts our people should know, for our present re- 
ligious views may be making our economic freedom impos- 
sible. For once we come to know the difference between our 
religion and that of our white brother and the significance of 
each, we shall become more united in our struggle in this 
country to get all that becomes a man. 

Sometimes an historian presents facts that we dislike. 
It is not his business to tickle his fancy nor our own. He 
should tell the truth. In this spirit I relate the events which 
worked signal changes in the religious views of William 
Smith. This chapter is not mere fiction. Every incident 
related herein actually did occur. Do not think William's 
experience exceptional. It is typical. I am relating the ex- 
perience of the college man and the college woman. Reader, 
perhaps you will find it shocking; but these experiences have 
been none the less shocking to those who had them. 

37 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


Three years at Henderson College, the pride of the North, 
had produced the College Seer — as he was called — the lad 
who in glory had left Williamsburg to find a broader glory in 
the exalted affections of the best sons America had produced. 
This school which could claim as its graduates some of our 
best poets and novelists, at least one of the presidents of 
our great land, could not help rejoicing at the career of Wil- 
liam Smith, who excelled in all his endeavors. Peerless on 
the gridiron, in class, and in debate, who was this powerful 
son of Africa? Was he the promist emancipator of his race 
or should we look for another? 

One thing was certain. He was black. About this there 
could be no mistake. Was his complexion a handicap? Color 
is almost invariably the curse of the colored man. His un- 
pardonable sin is being black. If colored and white show 
equal fitness for a task, who is taken, who is left? Even at 
times when the Negro has arrived at eligibility for the cap- 
taincy of an athletic team, even tho he was the honor man, 
who has been given the distinction? Ask some of our all 
American men. 

There are, however, many noble white people and there 
will be some as long as the world endures. These are in- 
telligent people — staunch and generous, lovers of humanity. 
With them a man is a man. They have no time for prejudice, 
for prejudice is characteristic of ignorant folk. Their lives 
reveal this lofty ambition: FAIR PLAY, AND MAY THE 
BEST MAN WIN ! This motto, fundamentally democratic, 
the favored utterance of General Joshua Chamberlain, had 
became the spirit of this institution. Here was a place where 
merit, and not color, courage and not color, perseverance and 
not color, decided the fates of men. 

The Negro who wanted as his summon bonum, a jug 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


39 


of molasses, forty acres, and a mule, was not the one who 
came to that great institution of learning. Besides, that Negro 
with such ambition is not typical of this stalwart race, which 
has suffered most to make America. Regardless of innumer- 
able closed doors, despite forbidden opportunity, notwith- 
standing peonage and gross humiliation, the typical Negro 
today is not a prodigal pampered by the indulgence of a 
doting father, not a profligate dedicated to Saturnalias, but 
a man, an exploited man, a lily in a pool of slime. He asks 
no favors ; he seeks only an open field and a fair fight. 

With this spirit, William entered Henderson College. In 
this enlightened environment, while his Alma Mater shaped 
him to her will, he brot her proud distinction. As he came 
to his senior year, he realized that he had a new attitude 
towards life. How different things must be from what he 
had supposed! Who was right: the theologian, the poet, the 
scientist, or the philosopher? Or did each have but a glimpse 
of the truth? For quite a while William perused several 
passages from Tennyson and a sonnet from Rossetti. The 
passages follow: 

Flower in the crannied wall, 

I pluck you out of the crannies, 

I hold you here, root and all, in my hand, 

Little flower — but if I could understand 
What you are, root and all, and all in all, 

I should know what God and man is. — Tennyson 

We have but faith : we cannot know, 

For knowledge is of things we see. — ibid. 

Think thou and act ; tomorrow thou shalt die. 
Outstretched in the sun’s warmth upon the shore, 
Thou say’st : “Man’s measured path is all gone o’er : 

Up all his years, steeply with strain and sigh, 

Man clomb until he touched the truth ; and I, 

Even I, am he whom it was destined for.” 

How should this be? Art thou then so much more 
Than they who sowed, that thou shouldst reap there 


40 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

Nay, come up hither. From this wave-washed 
mound 

Unto the furthest, flood-brim look with me ; 

Then reach on with thy thought till it be drown’d. 

Miles and miles distant though the last line be, 

And though thy soul sail leagues and leagues be- 
yond, — 

Still, leagues beyond those leagues, there is more 
sea. — Rossetti 

These passages and many like them William studied care- 
fully, trying to arrive at the truth. 

William reasoned somewhat thus. Are these passages 
false or true? Is the preacher right and everyone else wrong? 
Does each profession but get its portion of the truth? The 
preacher says the world is six thousand years old, the scientist 
gives the age of the world as being millions of years. The 
preacher says the world was made in six days, the scientist 
says it was millions of years in the making, and that creation 
has never ceased. The preacher says Adam was the first man, 
but science says that even Egypt had men before Adam ; that 
Adam is a creation of Babylonian mythology. 

To get these ideas in his sociology was very disconcerting, 
for William had been reared in an orthodox church. Accord- 
ingly his religious views were strictly conservative and dog- 
matic. He had been taught for years that the Bible was a 
perfect book, a flawless revelation of God. The Bible was 
the whole truth — telling all that had been and was to be. 
Persons disbelieving the infallibility of the Bible or rejecting 
Christ as the son of God, he was convinced could not be 
saved. 

Now that he found himself instructed by individuals who 
did not hold these dogmas, but believed in God and the Bible 
in a different way, what was to become of them? Where was 
he to find an anchorage ? These people were not scoundrels ; 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 41 , 

but some of the noblest people he had ever met. Not satisfied 
with contact in class to thresh out these soul problems at close 
range, he called upon his professors in physics, biology, so- 
ciology and philosophy for conferences. They encouraged his 
inquiry, and suggested to him many books for further read- 
ing. As these were assuredly, admirable men, ready to in- 
struct or advise, strenuous workers to uplift humanity, he 
could not persuade himself that these men would be forever 
lost. 

One day while he was in the class in ethics, a question 
arose concerning punishment. Soon the discussion turned on 
an appraisement of everlasting punishment. Almost as soon 
as it began, one student askt if punishment by hell fire was 
just. 

“Let’s work it out,” the professor said. “Is it lawful for 
a mother, for any offense her child might commit, to throw 
it into fire even for a moment?” 

“Its certainly wrong,” the student replied. 

“Is it just then, for God to burn his children not for a 
day, a week, or a year, but forever?” the professor askt. 

“The two acts are identical. Yet I thot God could do as 
He pleased,” said the student. 

“So he can,” the professor admitted, “but is it just? 
Which is the Superior Being? Which would you expect to 
be the nobler, God or man? If man burns his child, he is a 
criminal? Is God different, if He burns His? If man will 
refrain from such punishment and try to reform his child, 
will not God do the same?” 

“Is there such a thing as hell fire any way,” another pupil 
inquired. 

“I don’t see how it can be possible,” the professor calmly 
responded. “If there is such it can not bum souls, for these 
are spiritual.” 


42 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


“Professor Young,” remarked the student who began 
the discussion, “I think the trouble is this: our ministers, by 
trying to carry us back to the middle ages when the church 
burned and tortured, because God, so some said, would tor- 
ture. In medieval history I learned that the Bible was written 
centuries ago with no thot of us in mind at all, and now we 
have outgrown much of its morality. We must write our own 
Bibles and construct our own morality, and so must every age. 
No previous age can do it for us.” 

“Then what are we going to do with this Bible?” askt 
Smith. 

“Reinterpret it in light of present day thot, as it is ex- 
prest in all branches of knowledge,” the professor replied. 
“There is enough good in the Bible to inspire the noblest in 
any man. Accept the good, reject the bad.” 

“But we have been taught that all is good,” William de- 
clared, “that nothing is to be added and nothing to be taken 
away: that God is the same today, yesterday, and forever.” 

“To reinterpret is not to take away, nor to add. You 
merely re-evaluate what is there. Besides, the Bible does con- 
tain such statements as you mentioned,” remarked the vener- 
able instructor. “As to whether God changes or not, that is 
a point we might reconsider. If you conceive of God as 
being the universe, you are immediately aware of many 
changes. Various species come and go. Creation really has 
never ceased. Even if you conceive of God as personality, you 
must admit changes; for sometimes God is calm, sometimes 
angry, and sometimes jealous. These are changes of moods. 
If you think of God as a Spirit, He changes with the spirit 
of the people who worship Him. With the warlike Jews, He 
was terrible in His acts, One who never lost a battle, a mighty 
God of war. With civilized people, He is not a God of war, 
but Love — the Prince of Peace.” 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


43 


“But professor/’ inquired William, “I’m planning to pre- 
pare for the ministry. Can I preach what we have discust 
to the people? Would I not be called an infidel and my career 
as a minister finisht with its beginning?” 

“Smith, I’m glad you askt that question,” the professor 
replied. “I hope my answer will help you.” 

“It is the duty of every minister to preach the truth, not 
only the truth in the Bible, but the truth in nature, in man — 
in brief, anywhere it is to be found. Only the truth makes a 
man free. Ministers have too long condemned such men as 
Voltaire, Rousseau, Paine, and Ingersoll. These intellectuals 
have not contended that they were right and everyone else 
wrong; they have merely called the attention of the ministers 
and of the world in general to the fact that there was some 
truth that some persons had neglected. And they have rend- 
ered a valuable service to our age and all subsequent ones by 
reminding us that this other side of the truth should get a 
hearing. 

“No one has a monopoly of truth. Let the ministers in 
their Sunday schools consider the Bible and also what these 
men have to say about it. The Church will always be behind 
the schools if it will not permit both sides of the truth to be 
aired at its meetings, especially in the Sabbath Schools. Under 
no circumstances should it shirk this responsibility. 

“The minister necessarily mut proceed with tact; but the 
minister must tell the truth, even if it costs him his pulpit. 
You can minister to the needs of man even out of the pulpit. 
A man of your resourcefulness need have no fear of making 
a living. The world doesn’t need men absorbed with the idea 
of making a living; it wants men absorbed with a determina- 
tion to tell the truth. No matter what the outcome, do your 
duty.” 


44 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


Professor Young, of reverent memory, certainly won 
many disciples that day. The boys reluctantly left him at 
the toll of the bell, to attend their next recitation. As William 
reflected upon what had occurred, he knew that he was chang- 
ing rapidly — he saw life anew. 

Was it good for him to change? He could not answer. 
Knowledge was sweeping him on and he could not stop it. 

He went about his studies now with even greater zeal. 
He read many more texts on sociology, anthropology, religion, 
and the Negro, among which were the writings of Wallis, 
Spencer, Boas, Von Luschan, Chamberlain, Ripley, Sergi, H. 
H. Johnston, Finot, Ripley, William Wells Brown, and George 
Williams. Since he was going to work chiefly among black 
people, why shouldn’t he try to know them well? Very little 
was said concerning them in the American histories he read, 
which could be regarded as an inspiration to the colored youth. 
Accordingly he plunged into source material, documents and 
periodicals contemporaneous with slavery. 

In his study of sociology, he became particularly inter- 
ested in this discovery, namely: that there are no pure races. 
Greeks, Romans, Jews, Germans, Frenchmen, Hottentots, Kaf- 
firs, in brief, all races, have been formed by intermarriage and 
miscegenation. Yet in the South many politicians ride into 
congress on Negrophobia. They say, “Keep the white race 
pure.” They have laws forbidding the intermarriage of the 
races. Yet they are permitting amalgamation to take place 
faster in the South than in any section of the Country. What 
valuable information this was for him ! Why should it be pre- 
sumed that America today has the finest men that time can 
produce? Has progress ceased? 

We should not be doing justice to William’s intellectual 
and spiritual growth, should we omit a talk he heard one Sun- 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


45 


day afternoon in chapel and an address he heard under the 
auspices of the college Y. M. C. A. It was the custom to have 
at Henderson College the foremost ministers of the Nation 
to stimulate the religious life of the youth. To hear these 
men would force one to conclude, “The old order changeth, 
giving place to new, and God fulfils Himself in many ways.” 

On a bright Sunday afternoon, a distinguished minister 
from Milwaukee, in addressing the students in College Chapel, 
made the following statement: “I don’t care whether you 
have ever gone to church or not; I don’t care whether you 
will ever go to church or not. That is a matter of slight im- 
portance. I do care, however, as to what you resolve to do 
with all your being. If you have been a liar, a murderer or 
a thief, if you have been the meanest man that ever lived, but 
have formed unshakable determination henceforth to help up- 
lift your fellowman, to give him a drink of water when he 
is thirsty, a crust of bread when he is hungry, to give him 
shelter when he is houseless, you are bound to become good 
in the process. If you neglect doing this, but go to church, 
you can not see the kingdom of God. 

“On the other hand, if you pursue this course with all your 
soul, though you never go to church, you will live daily with 
God. 

“Yet I would have you to go to church and become active 
members. The Church represents organized religion. And 
you know that organization accomplishes more than spasmodic 
efforts. I want you to join the Church not because of fear of 
God, but because you love Him, because you love your fellow- 
man. You can do good out of the Church, but the largest 
amount of spiritual renewal can be accomplisht thru the 
Church, which is a specialist in this activity. And this is an 
age of specialization.” 

William reflected long on the entire discourse. Did every 


46 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


minister talk like that ? What of being justified by faith ? Was 
it a noble life like Christ’s that would save men from them- 
selves ? 

Another minister of liberal disposition, a preacher and 
scholar of great repute, was requested by the President of 
Henderson to address the students in the Y. M. C. A. audi- 
torium on “The Ministry as a Life Work.” This was one of 
a series of talks. Business, law, medicine, and music had 
already been discussed as vocations. Now came the Christian 
ministry. That evening an enthusiastic group of budding 
leaders was thrilled by the eloquence of this eminent divine. 
During the course of his remarks, he made a significant utter- 
ance which caused Smith to be rapt with wonder. The speaker 
said, “Young men, ministers frequently mystify and terrify 
men with declamations of heaven and hell. We get caught up 
in the spirit and say these things. When we come to reflect, 
we feel that probably we do wrong to make such an appeal. 
For after all, we do not know' whether there is a hell of tor- 
ture and a heaven of golden streets. In our saner moods we 
regard them as being figures of speech to describe the ex- 
tremes of joy and bitterness that we experience here. Within 
you is the kingdom of heaven or of hell. 

“I avoid making appeals from hell fire, as also do my 
colleagues. Inspired by Christ’s personality, I anchor upon 
this statement of his, T go to prepare a place for you, that 
where I am there you may be also.’ I do not know its nature, 
hence I dare not try to describe it. This is a matter about 
which the minister needs to be very particular. I’ll tell you 
why. When the members speak of hell, they mean one thing; 
when the minister speaks of hell, he means something else — 
wasted opportunity, unsatisfied desire, lack of comfort, ex- 
treme poverty, or the like. 

“Another difficulty you will experience in the ministry 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWED OF HIS SOUL 


47 


will be with reference to your conception of God. If you 
speak of God as actually having eyes, hands, and feet, you 
deprive Him of one of His chief attributes — omnipresence.. 
The conception of God as spirit is the more logical. We bow 
and kneel to this Existence, as if he were far away, yet the 
attribute of omnipresence has Him always with all men. Our 
problem is to make the people conscious of His uninterrupted 
presence.” 

After hearing this talk, William askt himself what he 
should do. Should he enter the theological school or choose 
some other calling? He had promist Pilgrim Tabernacle that 
he would enter the ministry. At least he had said he would. 
And his word was a promise. The church of his youth, those 
devoted friends, whose means were constantly coming to Hen- 
derson to help him continue to be a man — these people had 
kept their promise. Should he not keep his? It was difficult 
not to do so. 

His friends expected him to return home as the same Wil- 
liam Smith that had gone away. How impossible! How 
could he be unaltered? Could a man see a fellow being who 
was innocent lynched in his own yard before wife and chil- 
dren, and be unchanged? Could he hear that wife pray and 
see her petition unanswered without questioning his faith? 
Could a man be impervious to the teachings of such men as 
Professor Young and the great divines that visited Henderson 
College ? Could he be unimprest by these individuals of inter- 
national repute? Impossible. William was born again and 
he knew it; at this cosmopolitan institution, he had had many 
rebirths. 

“Will the people understand?” he askt himself. “Will 
they regard me as an impostor? I have been sincere in all 
that I did there and I am just as sincere now. Moreover, I 
shall be sincere in all I do when I return. But I can’t pro- 


48 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


ceed exactly as I did formerly. Of what service would my 
college training be, if I did? 

“Is it for this that parents send their sons to college? Do 
they want us to get such ideas as I possess, many of which 
are diametrically opposed to those by which they have lived? 
Certainly they send us here to change, to be different, to reject 
the false and grasp the true ; to abandon ignorance and super- 
stition, and become amenable to all that the College or Uni- 
versity thinks will make a liberal and noble man. 

“Professor Young says, ‘You can be a minister even out 
of the pulpit. No matter what the outcome, do your duty/ 
This may be the kind I’ll have to become. Anyhow, I know 
now what to do. I said Fd prepare for the ministry; so to 
the theological school I will go.” 


CHAPTER VI. 


The night with lingring shadows is all the day I’ve known, 

The greatest treasures others wait, and scorned am I alone 

America, my mother, I’ve not failed thee in the least, 

And yet what other son of thine’s unbidden to thy feast? 

No other native land thou want’st to flourish on this spot, 

Yet in the South, East, West and North some maketh .■ 
this thy lot. 

Thy dusky prince unto himself must build a seperate race, 
United with his foren folk, to rise unto his place? 

America, in making worlds safe for democracy, 

Thou’lt not forget thine own fair house where color flat- 
ters thee. 

Our wrestling with the scorning, to do each fond behest 
Will win at least not frowns, but joy and loving at thy 
breast? 

With great distinction and impressionableness, as one of 
the most scholarly and forceful characters that ever finisbt 
at Excelsior Theological Seminary, the Reverend William 
Smith was called to pastor Sinai Shrine at Seaton, a little 
town eighty-five miles from Williamsburg. Thus he was not 
entirely disassociated from his Pilgrim friends. He would 
meet them in conventions; he could preach for them occa- 
sionally; and often make a flying trip to attend social events 
or make more secure expectant ties of love. 

The beginning was fascinating. Should it not rather 
be so? Should hurricanes with ruin rampant, give us battle 
at the start? Sometimes it is thus. Sometimes the turmoil 
arises with our birth to be our constant companion in life and 
in death. We prefer, however, the calm and serene. If this 
we may have, we are willing to accept all else; if such a gift 


49 


50 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


is too costly a boon, we will get it some day anyhow. 

How William rejoiced that he was again useful ! He was 
shaping for the better many who had never seen the light. 
In commencing his great effort, he knew that he had to hold 
himself in leash, for his congregation, tho ambitious, to be 
called progressive, was not quite ready to accept all the “prog- 
ress” at their young pastor’s disposal. There remained with 
him, however, this decision : “Since, no matter where I go, 

I shall find the hosts of my people conservative in religion, 
no larger peril awaits me here than elsewhere. Therefore I 
am resolved, I will not sacrifice my personality. Tho the 
whole universe condemn me, I will not temporize, I will not 
truckle, I will be myself and speak my thots. The world has 
nothing to give me commensurate with my manhood. I will 
suffer or grieve, I will laugh or rejoice, and I will be a man. 

Altho the Reverend Mr. Smith entered upon his pastorate 
just after leaving Excelsior Theological Seminary, he had been 
granted as a special token of esteem six weeks for a vacation. 
What better use could he make of this boon than to supplement 
his agricultural knowledge with a course at Cornell University ? 1 
He had had years of practical farming. If, during the sum- 
mers, by attending school and by study thru correspondence 
at leisure moments, he could equal his rich experience with 
the best theory the world could afford, he Would make of 
Seaton — a rather unpromising rural community — a great com- 
mercial center. Accustomed to see all things thru, he did not 
relax until he had become master of the art. 

The former pastor of Sinai Shrine to a great extent had 
lived away from his flock. The esprit de corps had been that 
the minister was to be fine appearing, to call on the members 
occasionally for a social chat, to marry the lovelorn, pray for 
the sick and dead, and preach rousing sermons. Such had 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 51 

been Reverend McCauley’s ministry. His successor, however, 
did not follow the predestined course; he strove to promote 
a kindlier fellowship and touch all lives for greater useful- 
ness. 

Accordingly, on Monday — always — and often during the 
week, he was clad in overalls, busy among the farmers, show- 
ing them improved methods, whereby they might obtain larger 
and better yields. Seaton was peculiarly blest by his pres- 
ence. 

One year past happily. William had won a permanent 
place in the hearts of many of the fellow townsmen. He at- 
tended to his own business, he was always launching some- 
thing new, which strengthened the community life. 

Because of these endeavors and of the great commenda- 
tion which spread abroad, the State lookt toward Seaton and 
then set its pace. The adjoining states were also followers. 
On account of this recognition, who but Reverend William 
Smith should make the address on “Church Extension” at 
Pilgrim Tabernacle, his home church, in behalf of the Tri- 
State Convention? He was chosen without a dissenting vote. 

When the fall came on with its glory, emphasizing the 
approach and departure of all things, the convention assembled 
on the appointed day three hundred strong and set a record 
by its rapid, yet thoro dispatch of its business. The delegates 
were highly satisfied with what had been done, when they 
came to the last day of the session. 

That morning the Reverend Mr. Smith arose to speak. 
Glad were the faces, anxious the hearts. On this great occa- 
sion, a product of Pilgrim, the Pride of Pilgrim, was to have 
on the program the place of honor. Most of the members, 
old and young, who had half willingly and half reluctantly 
permitted their fond associates to leave them, were again 


52 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


cheering and welcoming him to othes victories. The oppor- 
tunity had come ! 

“Dear Christian Friends and Fellow Citizens,” he began 
easily but firmly, “I am fully aware of the distinction you be- 
stow upon me. This is a great occasion demanding great ut- 
terances. Whether I am equal to your expectations, I leave 
you to judge. But I thank you for your favor, accept the 
task, and render an account of my stewardship. 

“The European nations are engaged in a great struggle, 
striving thru blood and brains to make it impossible for any 
group of people to be goverened without their consent and 
participation in the government. This is a basic law of all 
democracy! Consequently I wonder why Almighty God per- 
mits America, a land dedicated to the principle that all men 
are created equal, to look silently on. Can she permit the 
great issue to be solved without taking part? If I correctly 
read the signs of the times, America will decide the day.” 
There was great applause. 

“These people are fighting for liberty. Can this priceless 
boon be gained in other ways? Probably. But how has it 
been gained? How did the English gain it? Tho they were 
not so passionate as other powers, someone had to shed comely 
blood. I am thinking particularly of the rise of the protector- 
ate under Oliver Cromwell. What caused the passing of the 
Old Regime and the establishment of the French Republic? 
Was it not the shedding of blood? How awful is this truth! 
Someone had sinned and atonement was long due. At last 
the purging came. Countless lives were laid upon the altar 
of Freedom. Woful day! Yet this has been the history of 
all nations. Without the shedding of blood there could be no 
remission of sin.” There followed a grave silence. 

“God has spoken. Who will combat His word? Is the 




THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


53 


shedding of blood for the remission of sins an eternal law? Is 
this the only way ? Will man never cease to oppress his fellow 
man, till he has poured out his precious blood? Must there 
always be civil wars, rebellions, riots, strikes, and barbarous 
conquests? Why have throbbing intellects, if we will not 
think; why have hearts, if we will not love? Why should 
rigth be establisht only by the arbitriment of arms, O Father, 
when Thou hast advised us to attain all grandeur not by Might, 
nor by Power, but by Thy Spirit? 

“I am thinking of my people, the climbing black folk of 
America, opprest for centuries and throttled even now. In the 
South we may accumulate but not enjoy, in the -North we 
may enjoy but not accumulate. Who are responsible for this 
calamity? Friends, both black and white. Since the white 
people, however, are in the majority and have had more cen- 
turies of favorable environment, theirs is the greater sin. They 
have sinned in not requiring the education of the South. We 
know the South has some excellent universities, but the masses 
of the people remain unlearned. 

“The summer I went South to visit my uncle and stopt 
at other points, I met hundreds of young white men unable 
to read and write. Moreover, there seems to be a desire on 
the part of some to encourage this condition; for tho there 
are illiteracy tests for voters, the whites are not required to 
pass them. Since the South, furthermore, is agricultural and 
the masses of the people live on the farms where schools oper- 
ate only for a few months, what else can exist other than bitter 
prejudices expressing itself to the disgrace of our glorious 
Nation in Jim Crowism and Lawlessness? If, as we believe, 
prejudice is a gift of little minds, whenever you meet an edu- 
cated man, you meet a man without prejudice. 

“Our sin has been, not to demand our rights; even if to 
demand were to die. Can the exalted utterance of Patrick 


54 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

Henry, ‘Give me liberty or give me death/ if lived by us as 
it was by our forefathers, bring other than one of these two:, 
liberty or death? Even for us there probably may be no re- 
mission of sin without the shedding of blood. 

“The utterance of eloquent Miss Nannie Burroughs, the 
sage of Washington, D. C. — ‘We’ve fought every race’s 
battles but our own’ must cease to be true. Greeks, Romans,; 
Jews, Germans, Spaniards, English, and others, have fought 
their own battles. Shall we of all peoples, forgetting the 
spirit of our ancestors, wait for others to fight ours? Godi 
permit no such shame to come upon us! Let us struggle 
ever, and cry out with might, tho we may be the dying voice 1 
of an immortal cause, a voice crying in a wilderness. 

“There is too much to do to remain silent and inactive, i 
Why have we delayed ? Is it not because we have been waiting j 
on God and God has been waiting on us? We have been ad- 
monished since the dawn of slavery on these shores, ‘First 
seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these [ 
things shall be added unto you.’ Here is the thot preacht thru ! 
the centuries which, with other conditions, has made us a con- I 
tented people. It has caused the masses of us to say with 
religious fervor, ‘You may have all this world, but give me 
Jesus.’ True, we have Jesus and the white people have the 
world. Who is the happier? 

“Friends, I want you only to face facts. Have we not 
first sought the kingdom of God and His righteousness? I 
believe we have. A few observations, which you can parallel 
in almost any city, will suffice to prove this. Many districts 
in Washington, D. C., have five and six churches within a 
radius of ten blocks. Within an area of half a square mile in 
Saint Louis, I counted eighteen churches. This congestion is 
characteristic of our people. We have more churches than 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 55 

the white people, tho they are more numerous than we. Are 
our schools and business institutions thus multitudinous? If 
our people had been directed to put about one-third of their 
energy into business, our Nation would be quite different. 
This is our departure for church extension, not to expand by 
numbers of edifices, but by influencing many activities. Far 
better would it be to have a few first class churches than 
swarms of second class ones. 

“The attitude of some pastors prevent this. I heard one 
in a neighboring state say that the members of a colored 
church must always have something to do. Who would con- 
tradict him ? All Christians, white and black, must have some- 
thing to do. Why should the Church ever stop, while the 
world moves on? What was this pastor to have his members 
do anyway? He said, ‘Our church is paid for. If I don’t put 
these folks to work, they’ll soon be fighting me. So I’m going 
to have them build a new church.’ In this instance the mem- 
bers did not fill the existing substantial edifice; yet they must 
have a larger and newer church. This man assumed that the 
only thing Christians could do was to build churches. With 
mortgages out of the way, with an inspiring group following 
him, tho a large opportunity had come to remould the lives 
of his people thru careful and regular pastoral endeavors, to 
lead them into new enterprises of moment, he did not see the 
kingdom of heaven was at hand and that he was to lead his 
people in. 

“Let us not err in this direction. We can have too many 
church edifices ; but we can not have too many ministers. Not 
every minister need pastor a church ; let him pastor the people. 
A minister does not exert his greatest force in the pulpit. He 
is most influential in making his word flesh, to dwell among 
the people. 

“Our numerous and excessive churches, and our un- 


56 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL, OF HIS SOUL 


paralleled devotion to them certainly show that we have first 
sought the’ kingdom of God and its righteousness. Does not 
the world call us a distinctly religious people? What other 
race offers the other side of his face when slapt? The meek 
shall inherit the earth? Do the meek inherit it? Have they 
ever inherited it? Will they now? God knows we are meek. 
We have first sought the kingdom of God, now have these 
other things been added unto us ? What things ? JOY ! PRO- 
TECTION ! EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ! LIFE ! There have 
been added DISCRIMINATION, SEGREGATION, JIM 
CROWISM and LYNCHING! 

“Is the God of those who oppress us our God ? Pray to re- 
move these abominations. Do you get an answer. They tell 
us God will answer in His own good time. Why not in ours, 
that we may enjoy the good fortune? 

“The attitude of two great men may help us take a proper 
stand. The lamented Gregory Willis Hayes, President Emer- 
itus of Virginia Theological Seminary and College, used to 
say, ‘First go into your secret closet and pray. Pray as if 
it all depended on God. Then come out and work. Work as 
tho it all depended on you.’ The other celebrity, Sir Rabin- 
dranath Tagore, says, ‘When gods fail to help their sons, men 
must come to their assistance.’ 

“Has the time come when we should consider the sugges- 
tions of these men or must we wait longer? Must the Negro 
not look more and more to himself for the activities and com- 
forts he deserves and desires? What else did Cicero mean, 
when he said, ‘Every period of life is burdensome to those 
who have not within themselves the resources for a virtuous 
and happy life. On the other hand, nothing that the necessity 
of nature brings to pass can be a hardship to those who seek 
all good things from their own ability?’ If the kingdom of 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 57 

heaven is within you, if God is everywhere — and hence within 
you — then within ourselves should we look for all we may do 
or become. I believe that the idea couched in the words of 
these philosophers is true not only for individuals, but also 
for sexes, races, and nations. We do not know the will of 
God and probably can never know it. It is hardly worth 
while trying to find it out. We can guess it and work out 
what we think it is by studying the Bible. But some of His 
will is yet to be exprest by those who live now and others 
that shall live. We do know, however, the desires of our own 
hearts, to have the rights of man. Let God continue to in- 
spire us, but let us not err in thinking that service to God 
does not mean service to man. 

“Recently I heard an orator say, ‘God shall fight our 
battles for us.’ Patrick Henry said the same, but he took 
good pains to urge the patriots to take arms in their defense. 
I still have in mind the utterances of the celebrities. God is 
not going to fight our battles ; He has His own to wage. ‘Our 
thots are not His thots, our ways are not His ways/ hence 
our battles commonly are not His battles. Why did Christ 
say, ‘My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?’ If God 
would forsake His only begotten son in the crucial hour, is 
He not likely to forsake us who are less worthy? Friends, the 
fight is on; the conflict is ours, to win or lose. God will in- 
spire us, but after all, man will be saved or ruined by man. 

“In view of this realization what is the mission of the 
Church? It is to see that the other things shall be added unto 
us. Does this mean that the Church is to become a participant 
in politics to the detriment of religion? Must the Church 
become the field of worldly disputes and subtle malice? It 
must not. Yet it should not remain within four walls. It ought 
to expand. It should preach that Christ came not that we 


58 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


might have death, political or otherwise, but that we might 
have life and have it more abundantly. It must promulgate 
that religion is not a one day affair, but a matter of every day 
of the week ; that religion is not separable from business, poli- 
tics, law, medicine or any pursuit; that religion is life. Hence 
I contend that no person is a Christian who fails to live the 
life of Christ. It is not so much a believing as a living. 

“We are to live the life of mutual helpfulness, of being 
our brothers keeper. We must not sin nor must we permit 
our white brothers to sin. A glance at our condition arouses 
amazement. If our white brothers are religious, then we are 
not. If we are religious, they are not. We must become like 
them or they like us. The difference must pass away. 

“The problem of Church extension, therefore, is upon 
us. Since the world says that we live the exemplary life, we 
have much to teach our white neighbor. How can we do this 
while we meet him so seldom? We must meet him more, that 
he may learn of us and we of him. What shall we say? De- 
clare that God is no respector of persons, that Christianity is 
not segregation of races in any way, but the universal brother- 
hood of man. 

“This idea of interdependence of all races and all nations 
must pervade the world, the United States included. Since 
we are by choice or otherwise an asylum for weary peoples, 
tendering them the torch of liberty, no one group has made 
this Nation what it is. All have had a share. Is this a matter 
to be spurned? Now when the world is in a death grapple, 
agonizing to bring men together, shall we by supineness, 
quiescence, and cowardly submission retard the victory by 
clannishness, by living unto ourselves, by developing within the 
land a distinct civilization? Not unless the white people make 
us do so. We shall be only so mean as they force us to be. 
Desperadoes here and there, unscrupulous profiteers, myopic 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


59 


and biased schoolmen would lay this weight upon us. They 
have establisht ghettoes for Little Chinas, Little Italies, Little 
Africas and the like. And we, unprotesting, silent and docile, 
accept the slander. God forbid ! 

“The Honorable Mr. Roosevelt, seeing that this attitude 
is developing a national disunity, has, with his accustomed 
far-sightedness, begun to call for a manifestation of pure 
Americanism. He believes that the German-American Alli- 
ance is establishing a Little Germany, creating a propaganda 
which will make the burden of the United States extraordinar- 
ily heavy, should we be drawn into the war. Accordingly he is 
the apostle of one hundred per cent Americanism — ‘no hyphen, 
no this or that, no qualification whatever, but simply Ameri- 
cans.’ 

“If any group of people deserve to be called one hundred 
per cent Americans, it is our colored men.” The applause was 
vigorous. The delegates carefully followed every utterance. 
“Some have called us Negroes, but we are not,” he continued. 
“So much white blood was mixt with ours during the two 
hundred fifty years of slavery and continues to be illegally 
mingling in the South, that the Negro among us is to be found 
only after years of patient search. So few there are. Some 
have called us Afro-Americans, reminding us of our African 
descent. This, however, is not the only source of our exist- 
ence. Many of my brethren have in their veins some of the 
proudest blood of Anglo-Saxons, French, and Germans. This 
is a matter of triviality. I grant that some other land was 
the abode of our fathers ; but we were born in America. Thus 
we are Americans, nothing else. 

“Since the Federal Constitution vouchsafes to those bom 
upon these shores the full rights of citizenship, our due is all 
that this land affords during our sojourn. And here we shall 
abide forever. 


60 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


“Some say, however, that we must have patience, that we 
must be long-suffering. Great heavens, what do men expect? 
All tolerance from the colored, but none whatever from the 
white! Who have been more patient than we, who upon this 
continent have suffered longer? Those advocating long suffer- 
ing say, ‘Wait, a crisis will come and we shall reap its joys/ 
In every crisis of American history, they urge, we have been 
benefited. Yes, we always get the crumbs which fall from the 
table. Why not like other folks, for instance, the suffragists, 
produce a crisis and receive the first fruits of them that slept? 

“Some are afraid, others are indifferent, and still others 
are ignorant. If our people were alert to their opportunities, 
why would they permit an organization like the National Asso- 
ciation for the Advancement of Colored People to struggle for 
existence. Why is not every adult black man a contributor 
to its, weal? This society, as it stands for upholding the Con- 
stitution of the United States without equivocation, contend- 
ing for a democracy not on paper, but in the lives of men, is the 
most patriotic society in America. A friend tells another friend 
his faults and tries to help him amend them. Such is the busi- 
ness of this group of individuals. It is the one organization 
in which all Americans should enroll, black and white alike. 
It is not a theory, but the greatest example of this concretion 
of thot ever witnessed by the eyes of man. As we might ex- 
pect, it appeals for a democracy which begins at home and 
spreads abroad. The idea is tangibly demonstrated. Here 
black and white love and think together. Here there is no 
color line. 

“When I recall the accomplishment of this society, when 
I think of the sacrifice of Christ, when I see that Europe is 
fighting for our ideals, I wonder why we say no more than 
we do about the brutish malice, the degenerate littleness which 
is doing its utmost to foster here a separate civilization, sepa- 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


61 


rate ideals, separate ambitions, but mutual hates. Has Lincoln 
labored and died in vain? Must there be another War of the 
Rebellion? We hope not. We cry, ‘Union and Liberty Now 
and Forever, One and Inseparable. One Language, One Coun- 
try, One Flag.’ At the same time the hosts of the Nation, by 
oppression or quiescence, are doing all they can to split the 
Country. Pray God that this shall never be ! 

“Our ancestors came to this Country accompanied by 
white men. We have gone with them shoulder to shoulder, 
from Bunker Hill to the North Pole. After all these years of 
comradeship, shall they leave us now? Shall we leave them? 
We shall ever march together; for our language is their 
language, our Country their Country, our flag their flag.” At 
this moment William had his audience thoroly within his grasp. 
He had taken the convention by storm. 

“Since our white brother has retarded the progress of 
the Nation,” he continued, “by finding time to be prejudiced, 
God Almighty calls us by the good in our hearts and in those 
that scorn us, by the thunder and by the lightning, to demand 
universal brotherhood. Tho white favors white, we must favor 
only merit, truth, and right. We must preach the end of seg- 
regating movements. When wars are upon us, black and white 
die together. When peace comes, why can they not live to- 
gether ? 

“Think of separate schools for a group of people in a 
democracy ! What a paradox ! Democracy means mixed 
schools with mixed faculties. Why are we blind to the fruits 
of this: the stratification of society, schools for the rich, and 
schools for the poor, but not American schools? It has been 
the hope of our greatest men that the College and University 
would be purely democratic. Somehow, these institutions in 
unmistakable numbers, have either been unaware of these 
hopes or as a matter of course ignored them. What college 


62 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


or university in addresses and leadership has made it positively 
clear to the students that such was expected? The matter is 
left entirely with the students. These promising young men 
and women are not interferred with in their racial antipathies. 
They bring them to the schools and carry them away as they 
came, or accentuated by biased professors. These are scholars 
who set out to prove a contention and prove it. Of course 
some men can prove anything. Thus the hope of democracy 
is crusht. 

“Since this is so ; let us never ask for separate schools. 
Let us enter these strongholds and by character and scholar- 
ship show our selves the equal of all people. If the cleft 
school must come, let it be forced upon us, for it tends to in- 
crease racial separateness and thus undermine our govern- 
ment. How can there be a democracy based on color rather 
than upon the inequality of merit? The ideal is the mixt 
school. Why run from a goal we have reacht with hope of 
returning to it some day? Why not use the ideal while we 
have it. We can not deny that the masses of our educated 
people, if they had been dependent upon mixt schools, would 
still be illiterate. The fact still remains, however, that a demo- 
cratic government should have democratic schools, if it is to 
continue as such. Aristocratic schools perpetuate aristocratic 
government, with a hope that democracy will never rise. So 
the Church should contend. 

“A further activity needing church help is politics. The 
Scriptures say that the powers that be are ordained of God. 
The corruption which exists with many of them, however, 
almost persuades us that they were ordained of hell. As soon 
as they find the colored man about to get an important office 
they arrange a gerrymander or get a new charter and thereby 
shut him out. If proportional representation were in vogue 
— the form which is certainly democratic — we should have 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


63 


in the United States Senate at least four members and thirty- 
six in the House of Representatives. This is just an inkling 
of the injustice we bear. What hosts we should have in the 
state and city assemblies! 

“This condition is a concomitant of any policy of racial 
separateness. I shall mention but one example. In several 
states I have visited around election time, I have observed signs 
to this effect: THE REPUBLICAN CLUB, THE DEMO- 
CRATIC CLUB, THE NEGRO REPUBLICAN CLUB, 
THE NEGRO DEMOCRATIC CLUB. Only white people 
attend THE REPUBLICAN CLUB and THE DEMO- 
CRATIC CLUB. The colored people attend something else. 
May these Jim Crow organizations die forever! The fadings 
of plutocracy ! The corrupters of the public weal. If white 
and black worked together in politics in all their meetings, cor- 
ruption would pass with the night. God open the eyes of the 
whites to this some day ! 

“Another work the Church may well perform is to spread 
good tidings, intelligence to all people. Consider how one- 
sided has been our life. I touch upon the press. Newspapers 
edited by colored men circulate freely only among colored 
people. Newspapers edited by white men circulate freely 
among both black and white. The consequence is easily dis- 
cerned. We know the whites much better than they know us, 
with the additional advantage of knowing ourselves. We know 
how mean they are and how good they are ! We are aware 
of their basest and their noblest thots. Most white people 
take the colored man for a joke. They believe us all min- 
strels, ready always for a jig, a slice of watermelon, or to 
bow and scrape. The black man who never laughs, the one 
who is always serious, this type they do not know. Equally 
ignorant are they of what we think of them, what we think 
of ourselves, and what we think of life. Our points of view 


64 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


as exprest in newspapers, magazines and books of our men 
commonly do not reach them. 

‘Tapers of all groups should have a wide reciprocity, es- 
pecially those of a group that is circumscribed. A democracy ' 
can not afford to be ignorant of the ideals of any of its groups. 
For ignorance keeps people apart, intelligence brings them 
together. 

“Preach the gospel to all people, ‘but go rather to the 
lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ Begin with those about us, 
our white brothers. If they will not hear, if they will keep 
up the bars, if they reject the brotherhood of man — to live in 
a realm of equal opportunity for all — like other nations that 
rose on the enslavement of man, political and otherwise, Amer- 
ica, too, will fall. Keep off this doom, preach that out of one 
blood God made all peoples that dwell upon the face of the 
earth, that we are not enemies, but brothers in sacrifice, love, 
and honor. 

“Bring to their minds incidents like this which I am about 
to relate. An East Indian, who might have been regarded as 
the twin brother of a boy in the Sumner High School of Saint 
Louis, matriculated at a university located in this town. Yet 
the Sumner boy of the same build, with the same complexion 
and bewitching hair, whose fathers suffered and died that this 
Nation might be free, must keep without. He would not even 
be accepted as one of its janitors. Those who gave their lives 
that their Country might be free surely have died in vain, 
since they who have not suffered and bled for the Union, are 
more highly honored than those who did. Shall the undeserv- 
ing continue receiving blessing, while the worthy are crusht 
under foot? No! These things shall pass away! 

“To hasten the process, let us remember that God is no 
respecter of persons. We must be JUST like HIM. If a 
black man commit a crime, see that he is punisht. If a white 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


65 


man commits a crime see that he is punisht. If a black man 
performs a moble deed praise him ; if a white man performs 
a noble deed praise him. If a white man marries a colored 
woman or a white woman marries a colored man, let us re- 
member that before God there is no difference. Both black 
and white are His. Persons so matched have braved much, 
have assumed greater responsibilities than others who marry. 
They dared unite with the one they loved. 

“I know that I am walking on fragile ground, but let us 
keep stepping until we reach more solid soil. Commonly when 
these marriages occur, we look down upon them with scorn 
or dismay. The white person is ostracized and the colored 
nearly so. This condition, too, must change. Is it not the 
democratic ideal? If we are to have one country, must we 
not also have one morality. Can we have a united country 
with one morality for whites and another morality for blacks? 
Would human beings be little valued if white men who im- 
pregnate colored girls under age were prosecuted; if other 
white men who cohabit with colored women could marry them 
if they chose? Too long this practice has been characteristic 
of our land. When will man learn that justice is even-handed? 

“If two persons of good health love and wish to marry, 
who should gainsay them, be they white or black, or white 
and black? I have met in my travels happy marriages of both 
sorts: the white woman and the colored man, and the white 
man and the colored woman. Seeing a mutual attachment 
being fondly exprest in the careful toil and sacrifice on the part 
of both for their children, whenever this democratic couple 
proves itself in a community, the neighbors should endeavor to 
break down all barriers and make these stalwart people their 
own. 

“Let our reproach for the marriage between white and 
black vanish like a mist. Rather reproach the union of un- 


66 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


equals, be they white, black, or black and white. On the other 
hand, when persons of relatively the same spheres and ac- 
complishments choose to marry, our part is to make the union 
last. Some say these people quarrel. Not all do so. Yet 
how few marriages of any sort are without some differences? 
How many marriages of our peoples are absolutely without 
quarrels? Having seen many of these nuptials followed by 
unparalleled devotion, I can believe that before I taste of 
death that America will have one morality. 

“Do not mistake that I am advocating intermarriage as 
a group ideal. Nothing is further from my purpose. I am 
merely saying that, if it happens, that is the affair of those 
two. I am simply indicating the evils which arise by forbidding 
by law intermarriage. The base miscegenation of slavery and 
another sort has not ruined us. Can a noble miscegenation do 
worse. At least it has not where it has been practised. What 
the Nation needs to become conscious of is that the government 
is an aristocracy, and no democracy at all. And as long as 
societies are aristocratic, morality is impossible. 

“Our Heavenly Father, may we know that a man’s a man ; 
may we treat a man as a man ; may we love a man as a man ; 
and may we marry a man as a man ! 

“This is the test of our religion : our thots must be thots 
of love for all ; our lives must be lives of love for all, 

“A final consideration, a very important consideration, I 
now present. This, I hope, will set aright all particularities 
out of joint. Despite the pleasantness of romance, the basis 
of happiness seems to be economic. Poverty, we know, is 
the mother of vice, crime, and most uncleanness. Yet the 
adage says, ‘Money is the root of all evil.’ Not so. Rather 
the lack of money has been the root of most evil. I call this 
to mind because of what the Scripture tells of ‘filthy lucre/ 
We must realize that not all lucre is filthy! We must lay up 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


67 . 


treasure not only in an imagined realm, but even on earth, 
where moth doth corrupt and thieves break thru and steal. How 
otherwise can we prepare for our children’s comfort in case 
we die prematurely, or prepare for old age? 

“W'e must accumulate. To do this we must more and 
more enter those branches where money grows. Let us go 
extensively into the trades and business. If we want to get 
together, let us put our money together. This is what the 
Jews have done. If we have not the experience of financiers, 
let us get it as we got our churches and schools. Just tread 
the wine press. We shall not tread alone. Here and there 
our people are ready for a big enterprise. If these people 
having the desires of our hearts will not come close to us, let 
us come close to them. All need to march together. 

“ ‘No man liveth unto himself, and no man dieth unto 
himself.’ If this thot we carry with us, our religion will ex- 
tend iself into all phases of our community life. 

“The white man has been deluding himself by thinking 
he does not need us. Similarly we have resolved to let him 
alone. But how can we do this? We need his business expe- 
rience. He needs us at least to fight his battles. Besides, each 
will always have something to teach the other. 

“Zangwill well portrays the spirit of America, to assimil- 
ate all people, in his play, ‘The Melting Pot.’ However, it 
lacks one element: America’s most loyal folk, the colored 
people. The broth will not be right, unless these colored 
masses also simmer in that crucible. 

“When then is the ultimate goal? The answer is simple. 
If we can live the life of Christ, the Church will extend its 
influence to every man. Our battle will be won over night. 
When we become like God, no respecter of persons, we have 
life, we give life, we save life. Thus our building can never 
fade away.” 


CHAPTER VII. 


Society is in a conspiracy to keep persons from 

being individuals. — Emerson. 

The Reverend Mr. William Smith had made a good 
speech. Good? So some said, but others thot it heretical. 
What could have happened to the ‘prophet of Sinai Shrine ?’ 
Who expected anything like this? Despite the consternation 
he had caused, no one left the auditorium during the course 
of the address. No one even dared interfere; for just when 
ire was aroused by a statement seemingly irreligious, the Holy 
Spirit seized the speaker and his hearers, thrilling them with 
sacred emotion. No one called the speech ineffective; all felt 
that the racial issues in the main were sound. The greatest 
difference of opinion bore upon the apparent atheism of the 
clergyman. 

“What could have possest Rev. Smith? We lookt for 
one of the good old sermons to take us out of self and lift 
us upon the rock of eternal ages,” said Reverend Caldwell, the 
president of the convention. 

“Yes,” agreed Reverend Williams, secretary of foren mis- 
sions, “I lookt for something different myself. I admit tho, 
that we have been edified, baffled, and mystified, and have 
considerably lost our bearings. Mr. President, for this reason, 
while I’m on my feet I want to offer a suggestion. Suppose 
we depart a little from our usual way of closing the conven- 
tion. Let us dispose of some of our afternoon work, as the 
committees are ready to report and close the afternoon session 
with a discussion of Reverend Smith’s address. You know 

( 68 ) 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


69 


we must discuss it and then take action on his suggestions. 
We should have our dinner hour for reflection upon it. Mr. 
President, I move that we do this.” The motion carried. 

At the close of the morning session, the delegates did not 
go at once to dinner, but divided themselvs almost automatical- 
ly into three groups, the better to discuss the young minister’s 
remarks: conservatives, progressives, and radicals. Such a 
spontaneous arrangement was a natural prognostic that theo- 
logical belligerency was in the air. Each group aglow with 
enthusiasm and determination to carry the others was untiring 
in effecting a thoro organization. These groups were main- 
tained at the tables and continued up to the time of afternoon 
meeting. With plans definitely arranged, the groups lost their 
identity in the general assembly. As the members assembled 
with unusual promptness, devotionals suffered no interruption. 
The president then declared the convention ready for busi- 
ness. 

“Mr. President,” began Rev. Monroe, leader of the con- 
servatives, properly to discuss the address of our dear brother, 
we should be strictly parliamentary. We need a motion more 
definite than any that has as yet been proffered. I therefore 
offer the following. He read his motion and forwarded it 
to the recording secretary. It ran thus: ‘Resolved, that the 
Convention withdraw the hand of fellowship from Reverend 
Smith, pastor of Sinai Shrine, thus depriving him of all privi- 
leges and distinctions which accrue to a member of this or- 
ganization. This shall mean that he can not represent here 
or can his church send delegates, that no minister enrolled 
with us shall preach in his church, nor shall he preach in any 
church as a pastor enrolled with us; that our members may 
not attend his church, and his members may not commune 
with us. This withdrawal is to be effective until he is removed 
from the pastorate of Sinai or until he renounces the main 


70 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


tenets of his address which conflict with our articles of faith/ 
The motion was seconded and at the call for unreadiness the 
discussion began. 

The radicals had hoped to get in a resolution first, but the 
conservatives had been the more alert. Now each group tried 
to get recognized. Eight or nine speakers arose simultaneous- 
ly, appealing, “Mr. President. ,, As recognition under these 
circumstances was utterly impossible, Rev. Caldwell said, “Gen- 
tlemen, you are about to be disorderly. Please be seated. Re- 
member that order is heaven’s first law. I know that we are 
assembled in extraordinary session. I am aware that all are 
eager to handle the order of the day ; but let us proceed aright. 
Rise one at a time, proportion your speech so that every one 
may have a chance, and move on with dispatch. Pm ready 
to go on.” 

Again a conservative won the floor. It was Rev. Stone, 
pastor of Shiloh, who remarked, “Mr. President, in this mat- 
ter we want to be fair. In requesting a withdrawal of the 
hand of fellowship, we need to state the charges, and have the 
accused brother make his defense. For that purpose, I rise.” 
He stroked his grizzled beard, nodded his head several times, 
and then cleared his throat. 

“We feel,” he continued, “that the dear brother has for- 
feited his place among us, because he has not respected our 
traditions — doctrines which we have cherisht and reverenced 
for many decades. Some of his utterances hark back to in- 
fidelity. The notorious Robert Ingersoll could not have said 
worse. For instance, the young man said, ‘God is waiting 
on us and we are waiting on him.’ Thus he tries to impute 
to the Holy Father idleness — He who started light to dazzle 
in the sun, to sparkle in the stars, to flash in capricious light- 
ning, He who poured the waters forth from His radiant 
throne to make the fertile earth — my God began His work 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OP HIS SOUL 7 % 

in eternity and has never stopt.” He spoke with great em- 
phasis. 

“Amen, amen,” was an uproarious response coming front 
various parts of the assembly. “Hallelujah, hallelujah, praise 
His name !” 

“Mr. President,” Rev. Hillard, a radical, appealed. 

“Rev. Hillard.” 

“Mr. President, I rise to ask the speaker a question.” 

“Rev. Stone,” askt the president, “do you permit a ques- 
tion?” 

“I do,” was the reply. 

“My dear Sir,” sought Rev. Hillard, “have you not your- 
self by your utterance just now overstept the margin of these 
same traditions for which you seek to withdraw the hand of 
fellowship from Rev. Smith? You yourself just said that 
God has never stopt His work. Did not Brother Smith say 
the same. The Bible has us to understand that God rested on 
the seventh day. This, you even deny, tho Christ himself 
said, °Tis finisht.’ 

“Furthermore, when we are trying to have sinners to de- 
cide to follow Christ, don’t we say that God, that the Spirit 
is waiting for you to repent; that God, that Christ stands at 
the door patiently waiting?” 

“Mr. President,” remarkt Rev. Stone, the learned gentle- 
man knows that tho I may err in some of my remarks, our 
conception of God is as one prompt to act, industrious, good 
and just. Rev. Smith has implied that God neglects His chil- 
dren, that God is unjust. Did he not say in quoting Tagore, 
When gods fail to help their children, men must come to 
their assistance?’ What does this argue but the negligence 
of God, what but His injustice? Thus I lay before you the 
charge that Rev. Smith is wholly unorthodox. If I am wrong. 


72 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


let my reverend chatechizer or ‘the prophet of Sinai Shrine’ 
himself prove it.” 

“Mr. President,” began Rev. McVicar, another conserva- 
tive of the most uncompromising type, “we must sustain our 
co-worker in his charges.” He almost roared with his heavy 
bass. 

“Amen, amen,” came back many responses. 

The distinguish pastor continued, “Rev. Smith today \ 
has been as heterodox as a Turk reeking with Christian blood, 
and as ingratiating as a hog in a lady’s chamber. He chal- 
lenges God’s answering in His own good time. If a human 
being can not wait for the All-wise, for the everlasting Father, 
the Prince of Peace, to answer his prayer, not only is he unfit 
to preach, for the salvation of men, unfit to be a doorkeeper 
in the house of my Lord, but is unfit to claim allegiance to 
the Christ.” 

“Verily, verily I say unto you, Rev. Smith, you must be 
born again.” 

“Hallejujah, praise the Lord,” the delegates shouted in 
various parts of the assembly. 

The enthusiasm flowed profusely with violent inunda- 
tions, as is the custom, when tense religious fervor is pro- 
voked. Nearly every representative wanted to speak at once. 
Many arose, but like a meteor flashing unawares to vanish and 
give way to orbs of more lasting grandeur, they spoke and 
were admired for their brilliancy, but the gaze of all was fixt 
upon the men of great renown with hope as for a coveted light. 
The meeting surged with cheers for each respective group, 
but how could one doubt the leaning of men untouched, un- 
seasoned by the lives of diversified thinkers, trameled by the 
radiation of one clime, and, therefore, hostile to new truth? 

Then came forth the Rev. Stamford, a man of somewhat 
progressive views, “Mr. President, the dissention evoked this 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


73 


morning may have some just basis I do believe. The clamor 
of metallic tongues, however, and hearts brazened with 
duplicity, and coated with envy for a man who has turned his 
back upon the night, needs scant consideration. Yet those 
who love the truth, who believe that even the Church must 
step ahead, value the many contributions of our distinguish 
young man. Who can deny that we must reshape our ideas 
to adjust ourselves to this complex life? Must we not rethink 
our attitude towards the great issues mentioned by Reverend 
Smith: social equality, intermarriage, mixed schools, news- 
papers, and business? Consider, for instance, the prevailing 
conception and denial of any desire for social equality, hark- 
ing back to our ancestors of recent generations, suffering in 
indecent slavery. They desired not to live in the cabin, but in 
the big house, they desired not to have corn meal all the time 
but an occasional taste of magic flour. Life was not merely 
the fiddle and the dance, but labor and rest, leisure and travel, 
and schooling. All these our forefathers desired. What was 
this' to them other than social equality? 

“Since we, however, have had advantages of school, have 
lived in other years, and other climes, our conception of social 
equality can not be theirs. We include the right to vote and 
hold office. We go even further than that. If we shall have 
democracy here, we must not be many nations, but one with 
liberty and justice for all. 

“To this extent I agree with Rev. Smith ; and with him I 
contend that the laws of the South preventing intermarriage 
of individuals of different races, is autocratic and therefore 
subversive of democracy, that it prostitutes not only our women 
but the women of our white brother, increases crime and moral 
degeneracy. So far am I with my noble and able friend. 

“When he says, however, of my Redeemer, of Him who 
has cast countless worlds into space, that we do not know 
the will of our Father who is in heaven, and that it is not 


74 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

worth while trying to find it out, we meet at the parting of 
the ways,'’ he spoke with great fervor. 

“Amen, amen,” the responses arose and continued fcr 
quite a while. Rev. Smith sat still, almost stolidly thruout all 
these remarks. He did cast, nevertheless, a casual glance at 
the various speakers. 

“Do we know the will of God?” Rev. Stamford seemingly 
askt his entire audience. 

“Yes, we do. Praise His name. Yes, we do.” 

“Do we not know that out of Chaos God formed the 
universe, that by making plants and beasts and man He willed 
us life ? Do we not know that before he created man, accord- 
ing to His holy and everlasting will he determined that Christ 
should come, that the word should be made flesh and dwell 
among us? Was it not His will, that Christ should teach 
‘Love thy neighbor as thy self?’ Is it not God’s desire that 
we should love one another, that we should love our enemies? 
Is it not worth while to try to learn more of this, that our light 
may shine?” 

“Amen, amen.” 

“Rev. Smith,” concluded Rev. Stamford, “I love you. I 
want you to succeed. And tho some of your utterances seem 
untimely and apostatic, I know that you are sincere. I am 
fully aware that not a word was spoken to disrupt this con- 
vention, but to spur it to larger usefulness. I look upon you 
almost as a lone star on a gruesome night, almost as a beauti- 
ful flower in a tractless desert. We must admire you because 
you are rare. I will not vote against you. It takes a brave 
man to do what you have. You have said these things be- 
cause you believed them. Now if the hand of fellowship 
should be withdrawn, do not be dismayed, God is ever with 
you. True we have a covenant, but if we were to question 
every minister here and each would be as frank as you, we 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


75 


should find, I am afraid, as many different interpretations of 
that covenant as there are ministers present. Let anyone deny 
that we do not differ as to our fundamental doctrines!” The 
conservatives squirmed. They wanted to speak, but Rev. 
Stamford would not yield. 

“The matter, however, which you need to rethink is your 
categorical, that we do not know the will of God and that it 
is not worth while trying to find it out. In your defense, I 
should like for you to touch upon this.” Thereupon, the 
speaker sat down. 

Now for the first time a radical gained the floor. He had 
been sitting nervously trying to get recognition. When the 
chance eventually came, he arose and said with the air of a 
braggadocio, “Mr. President.” 

“Rev. Gaston.” 

“Dear Christian Friends, members of the convention, you 
know what I am going to say. For several years you have 
called me an extremist and said that my folks have no re- 
ligion at Mount Horeb. Well, if we don’t have much religion, 
we do have something. We have the largest and most beauti- 
ful structure in the state as well as the biggest congregation. 
Besides, my people are doing the most missionary work at 
home and abroad. Friends, my folks have religion; I have a 
little religion myself. I certainly burn with love for Christ.” 
The delegates smiled. 

“I have no speech to make, I merely rise to commend 
Sinai Shrine. I will answer, however, the preceding speaker. 
Rev. Stamford, is not God unknowable? The history of the 
world has assuredly been a search for God. Each generation 
learns more of Him. And in that great day, or thru the ages, 
when it is our pleasure to see Him not thru a glass darkly, 
but as He is, shall we know Him?” He almost shouted. 
“Friends, we shall not, but we shall become better and better 


76 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


acquainted. If we were to find out all about God, I am afraid 
we should become tired of heaven and leave it in order that 
we might go to some place where there would always be 
something new to learn. If we can not know God, we can not 
know His will, we can approximate, but we can not know.” 

“Mr. President,” exclaimed Rev. Monroe excitedly, “I 
appeal for the vote, if Rev. Smith has nothing to say. There 
has been enough discussion. Let us vote.” 

“Mr. President,” said Rev. Ross as the preceding speaker 
sat down, “Permit me a word.” The request was granted. “I 
rise as the father of this young giant. For many years I 
nurtured him with teachings of the Christ and you know his 
phenomenal youth as well as his ministerial career. How 
strange life is! From this very church with loving pathos, 
we heralded Reverend Smith into prosperity and success. Here 
he was ordained to preach the word and here he is accused. 
Gentlemen, it is strange. 

“Let us be careful how we judge. The ideas of this young 
man to many of us may be new. We were always told that 
we could not have too many churches, but did we think that 
out for ourselves? No! We just accepted it. If now we are 
honest, we must admit that our religious growth is not de- 
termined by the number of churches, that it is better to have 
a few first-class churches thoroly up-to-date than a host of 
second-class churches behind the times. 

“If this is followed, however, then what? Not every min- 
ister has a pulpit literally. Some are evangelists, others are 
college presidents, some are teachers in seminaries, others are 
publishers. 

“The question ‘Where do I exert my greatest influence ?* 
had never occurred to me. Unquestionably it is not in the 
sermon I utter, but it is in the sermon of my daily life — in 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


77 


laying hands on people, in fully sharing life not from afar but 
at close range. 

“I do not agree with all our youth has said, but we need 
such a speech as his: frank and earnest. We need the Truth.” 

“Rev. Smith,” remarkt the President, when a consensus 
of opinion had been exprest that the pastor of Sinai Shrine 
make his statement, “what do you have to say?” 

With his wonted composure and equipose, Rev Smith 
addrest the chair, surveyed his audience and spoke thus: 
“Friends, now there is little need for words. As men your 
minds are fixt, you know how you will vote and so do I. Then 
do not think that I hope to change you. Not at all. I have en- 
joyed working with you, it has been a pleasure to preach in 
your churches; but I have not desired to be an unwelcome 
guest. I weighed my words before I spoke and I said them 
because I believed them. Whether you think my presence 
pernicious to the faith or wholesome, vote according to your 
conscience. I can afford to sever our fond relations, I can 
afford to resign my pastorate, but I can not afford to leave 
this community. I can not afford to be less than a man. I 
have no defense to make. I have done my duty. Now may 
you do yours !” 

The president having commended Rev. Smith, exprest 
his regret that the convention had to close thus, but he hoped 
that, whatever the decision, they would act with the Spirit of 
Christ. They had prayer. Anxious were the hearts devoted 
to Rev. Smith while the ballots were being collected, and more 
anxious during the counting of the same. Whispers of tender- 
ness, sighs of love strongly imprest this upon the assembly. 
When all the votes had been tolled and checked, by a slight 
majority, the hand of fellowship was withdrawn. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


Here how we bathe in sweetened rest, 

Or spring to joys the lovers make! 

We think man but a passing lest, 

Yet warm friends seek, and friends forsake! 

Condemned by the Church! Scorned by upstart time- 
servers ! Abused and misunderstood ! Persons who yester- 
day hailed him an uncrowned king, today keep anxious space 
between. Fond only of those whom all the world admires, 
worshippers of those who court the crowd, considered him 
stricken with a contagious malady. “Poor young man! You 
know that I am sorry, but I must keep away. The Church 
demands it. ,, Thus the manners of those who dwelt apart 
forcefully spoke to Rev. Smith. 

When we have long been nurtured by the attention and 
counsel of many acquaintances and these at last suddenly slink 
away, our souls still hunger and thirst for the accustomed 
care, ignorant, mayhap, where to find it. We ponder, mind- 
ful of what has been, and wonder should we covet its return 
or something like it. Then promptly we are flooded with a 
vision proudly dear, and tho we stand alone, we should ex- 
change it never for the old — for what had long outlived its 
time and should have passed away. We ourselves have died 
with these old glories ; but now we live again. How we hate 
to die, either in the flesh or in the spirit! Yet we all must 
die. We who live must give the life, that they who die may 
live. 

Such were the thots crowding Smith for recognition, as 
he sat with his mother one pleasant evening enjoying the old 
home place. It was several days after he had returned from 

( 78 ) 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


79 


a flying trip to Xenia. He had left immediately after the con- 
vention and had accordingly given very little time to his friends. 
At last his vacation had begun. This was the one day of the 
year, when his mind might follow any fancy. Whether he 
would go back to his pastorate, he was uncertain. Probably 
the members would not have him. At this time, however, 
being in Seaton was not a matter of importance. He should 
lay all thot of former activity aside and be thrilled by the rap- 
ture of vacation. His friends and those of his mother, par- 
ticularly the younger set wanted to see him. Now he was at 
their shrine. Hosts of charming memories, of good well done 
kept him facinated with the spot. Now he realized why his 
mother would not leave Williamsburg to be with him at Seaton. 
He himself was so entranced, he began to wonder if he could 
leave. He had come and gone often, but could he now? 

After a while, William left the porch and went within, 
to obtain a pencil, in order that he might make a sketch of 
the sunset. So variegated were the hues with unusual tints, 
that the artist in him could not resist the alluring scene. Then 
he thot of his sketch book, which would be more convenient 
than a mere piece of paper. A brief search brot him upon it. 
Thus prepared for a feast of beauty, he started to work. He 
had made only a few bold lines, when he felt that black and 
white would not do justice. He decided therefore to get his 
crayons. He desired most his paints, but these he had left at 
Seaton. 

He had hardly more than gone upstairs, when two fair 
guests arrived, Susan attired in Alice blue and Thelma in 
russet. At the request of Mrs. Smith a saintly old matron 
who had never lost her winsomeness, the girls nimbly tript 
into a medium-sized room, the modest but commodious par- 
lor. They askt the mother not to announce their presence. 
She consented. The callers then closed the door and made 


80 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


themselves at home. The pianoforte, which they noticed im- 
mediately upon entering for a few moments was the chief 
attraction. Indeed it was a great temptation, but they did 
refrain from touching the keys. They whispered about the 
music displayed, then went to the well curtained windows, 
from which proceeded abundant light, to see if he had come. 
He had not. The young women now ran lightly from here to 
the opposite side of the room, where they found a divan 
loaded with oriental pillows and a few that were strictly sug- 
gestive of college life. Tho they had handled and admired the 
room before, it seemed not less interesting now. The massive 
chairs cushioned in blue with mystic designs were the next 
attraction. The belles were thinking of some of their own 
artistic work and wondering if theirs was equally grand. 
After musing and chatting about these, they glanced at the 
landscapes placed here and there. One seemed to be faithfully 
representative of the vase of fragrant magnolias before them. 
They were flowers of rare beauty. 

Finally William appeared on the porch and rapidly began 
to make a sunset that he hoped would be true to that of nature. 

He was enjoying his occupation immensely when a sweet 
voice called him. He turned to see the owner. “Where are 
you, Susan ?” he answered, recognizing her at once. 

“Here I am,” she replied, rushing upon the porch, laugh- 
ing merrily. 

Thelma followed and said with great satisfaction, “Mak- 
ing a sunset ?” 

“Yes,” William responded. “The effort was irresistable.. 
You know well that I am a dilettante in this phase of art, but 
yet an ardent lover of it. I wish I could give more time to 
it. Public life, however, prevents me.” 

“Still you’re showing considerable talent in this sketch,” 
said Thelma. “It seems that this is going to be just as ex- 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


81 


cellent as some of your landscapes we were just admiring.” 

“I may be able to get the same results with crayon; but 
I’m not sure.” 

“I know you will,” remarkt Susan with emphasis. “You 
can do anything.” 

“I appreciate the compliment,” he assured her. He rapidly 
workt on. Upon pausing for a time and seeing them standing 
over him, he requested them to sit, but they preferred to 
stand. “Girls, you so quickly overwhelmed me with surprise 
that I so far lost my bearings, as to be inconvenienced in 
spontaneous hospitality. Of course set words conventionalized 
are not always necessary to express a cordial greeting. Yet 
I need indulge in no lengthy harrangue to have you feel wel- 
come.” He left off sketching for a while and then said, “I 
seem almost in fairyland; so delicately sweet and cheery is 
the air because of your presence.” 

“We are indeed glad to come at any time,” said Thelma 
with a smile. 

“Thelma,” he resumed, his face flusht with the tint of 
the setting sun, a face which showed the calm of a conqueror, 
“I was confident that you would act your own thots unsolicited 
by anyone; for such as you we masculines call the assertive 
type, the feminist.” 

“Well, you do understand me in part,” came from Thelma, 
smiling with her accustomed good-naturedness. At once there 
was exhibited a set of teeth, charming and perfectly designed. 

“Susan, I was not so sure, however, as to what your at- 
titude toward me would be after the .convention. I am fully 
aware,” he said as his hand moved the crayons almost auto- 
matically, “that my remarks to some were very startling; but 
what I spoke should have been uttered long ago. The Church 
as constituted is suited to the older generation. These will 
soon be dead. What will happen then. Will a new Church 


82 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


suddenly spring forth to satisfy the new people? Not at all. 
The changes should be gradual. It is these I am trying to 
start, to encourage directed evolution instead of a violent revo- 
lution, or the extinction of the Church.” 

“True, I was shockt, but I believed in you, William; hence 
I never once feared,” she declared. 

“I did not once think that you would consider me a 
renegrade,” he affirmed. “The hope that has arisen in you 
from my avowal of endeavor was not yesterday betrayed. It 
was merely set on with unusual momentum. Feeling, how- 
ever, that because you are a ‘mother’ child, willing oftimes to 
sacrifice your own idea and act upon hers, even tho your bet- 
ter judgment desired another course, I wasn’t sure what you 
would do.” 

“William, you’ve spoken discerningly,” came from Susan, 
striving to adjust herself to this sudden expression of what 
was one of her fundamental characteristics. “You understand 
me well; but you know the first commandment of promise, 
‘Honor thy father and thy mother,’ With the reverence of 
that ancient holy people, almost with adoration, I have es- 
teemed my mother. I could defy my father; but as yet, I fear 
that I might yield to any wish of hers.” 

Thelma followed the completion of the sketch, at the 
same time listening to the conversation, ready at the proper 
suggestion to make her contribution. 

Turning the talk a little, for the purpose of trying to 
convert her to a different manner of procedure, he askt, “Has 
not your judgment frequently proved superior to your mother’s. 
I m aware that Mrs. Lee is a lovable woman with a valuable 
experience gained by contact with the hard, hard world. Grant 
her all this, yet can she equal you in view of your having 
largely shared that experience, read more widely than she, 
and traveled more extensively?” 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


83 


“Occasionally I do devise better plans/’ she admitted, “Yet 
I can’t say that in matters of great importance, I have ever 
excelled. Up to this time, no circumstance of honor has been 
able to draw me from a friend, no matter what has been said. 
Still our relations might be in a measure altered by some sug- 
gestion of my mother.” 

“You see then that I was right,” remarkt Rev. Smith. 

“Pardon me,” put in Thelma at this point, “but may I 
interrupt you a wee bit?” She had been about to invade the 
kitchen to call upon the mother, for once it seemed that the 
conversation between Susan and Smith was about to become 
extreipely confidential. 

“Why certainly,” Susan replied and William added his 
assent. 

“Thank you,” she remarkt. “I have often told Susan that 
she must solve her own problems, she must see her chances and 
not leave such immediately personal affairs to the dictation of 
others. Her parents have lived their lives ; Susan must live 
hers. Since life was less complex for them than it has been 
for her, they can merely suggest. They are just as powerless 
as we to portray a detailed future. When Mr. and Mrs. Lee 
married they thot they knew each other well, but, if you just 
question them for a moment, they will assure you that many 
modes of behavior not at all glimpsed during courtship, gained 
expression later on. They will tell you that even now, tho 
well acquainted, they don’t know each other thoroly 
They believed their love to be genuine and even themselves 
to be so ; and life has been according to their faith.” 

“Thelma,” said Susan, somewhat abasht that she had 
become the topic for discussion, “there is much truth in what 
you've said. As evidence of my appreciation, let me assure 
you that I will reflect upon it tonight. I will try to be more 
self-propelled. 


84 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


“But have we not neglected the chief purpose of our 
visit, in going thus astray ?” came an utterance more atune with 
her eager nature. “Reverend Smith,” she pronounced it with 
firmness, “we have come to offer you congratulations on that 
extraordinary address, extraordinary in its bold heroism and 
in its heralding the dawn of a new era.” 

“Yes, Reverend Smith,” said Thelma with the firmness 
of Susan, “accept our hearty congratulations. We treasured 
every word you spoke. I think you know that the zeal of the 
young people of the Church is not so great as that of the 
old. It is due to preaching to a new generation — as you said 
— wisdom suited for the past. You come with a frank state- 
ment of the matter, bringing to your command the philosophy 
of the East and the West. And we enjoyed it, tho Susan was 
at times shockt. We can’t merely live in the past, we must 
have a part of the present and the future. Besides, provin- 
cialism must pass, to let cosmopolitanism have the day. The 
learning of our fathers or of all America is insufficient, we 
must learn of all people of all the earth.” 

“This is well said, but what are the utterances of the 
people generally?” askt the divine. “Tho I dared to face the 
Convention, I have not visited a home. That may be quite 
a different experience.” 

“The older people,” Susan affirmed, “are almost a unit 
against you. Still some of them believe that such thots as 
yours must have a hearing. These merely wonder whether the 
time is quite ripe for such. They do say, however, that the 
untrained and the narrowly trained ministers have too long 
swayed our people, that now, since the great issues of our 
great national life require unusual thinkers for their solution, 
the educated minister must be heard.” 

“It is needless to say,” interrupted Thelma, “that the 
younger set is with you fully.” 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


85 


“Many:, of the younger set, however, are not ,in the 
Church,” Rev. Smith said, “Consequently I don’t have their 
support or I may say that their good wishes amount to little 
right now.” 

“If you were here,” remarkt Susan, lowering her eyes 
tenderly, “don’t you know we should crowd your church? 
Your appeal was for life and we need life.” 

“Probably you’re right, for should I keep hammering 
away, I’d get them eventually any way.” He changed the con- 
versation a little, holding up the completed sketch. “Well, what 
do you think of it. It is yours to condemn.” 

“I think it truly exquisite. Then to think how quickly you 
have done this! You’re more than a dilettante,” said Susan. 

“Yes, it is a remarkable sketch,” was Thelma’s remark. 

“Let’s start an art gallery,” Susan said in jest. 

“Yes,” responded Thelma, “my collection will be at your 
disposal.” 

“And mine.” 

“And mine.” 

“But let’s return to the point,” requested Thelma, “Smith, 
I’d like to know if you preach at Seaton as you did at the con- 
vention.” 

“Yes, I do. However, I don’t touch so many issues in 
one discourse, as I did at the Convention. With one issue 
before me calling for advancement, I speak with vigor; and 
as I do so I point to the new, I point forward,” was Smith’s 
reply. 

“I so much wish that you could be in Williamsburg regu- 
larly,” declared Susan with a melody of tone that generally 
compelled conviction. “How we should appreciate all your 
work.” 

“I may come,” said Smith laughingly, resigning himself 
for any happening. “I may be forced to some other field.” 


86 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


“Who would be so bold as to try?” inquired Thelma, fully 
aware that William would not be bullied about. 

“Ministers.” William replied. “Because I know this, I 
have been trying to conclude whether I sould enter another 
field or not.” 

Here he met distinct opposition. Both young ladies were 
firmly against his leaving the ministry completely. They felt 
that he might give most of his time to something else for a 
while, but not long. They wanted him never to lose an op- 
portunity to preach, to do pastoral work or enter biblical dis- 
cussions. 

“William,” said Susan with an impressive look, almost 
with a plea, “ remember that you are specially trained for the 
ministry. Remember that you are better qualified to do this 
work, I believe, than any man in the state. Pilgrim is with 
you, God has called you, and you can not turn back.” 

“Yes, William,” said Thelma, “Susan is right. You can’t 
forsake your calling. An educated man can do more than 
one thing as a means of livelihood. So you need no defense. 
If Seaton doesn’t want you, return to your home town and 
go to work. Do anything for a living. We’ll think no less of 
you. The truth is we’ll admire you the more. Start a mis- 
sion of your own. Hundreds are waiting to follow you.” 

The conversation went on until dusk. When it was about 
time for the girls to go home, William said, “Girls, I hope you 
have spent a pleasant evening and accomplisht the purpose of 
vour call. You have heartened me with inspiration. You have 
shown the way. Now I know what I shall do. 

“Your coming is indeed a compliment.” 

“Under ordinary circumstances, we should have waited. 
We could not talk with you long on the day of the last ses- 
sion, because you had to hurry away. As some were against 
you, we thot it should not be necessary for you to seek your 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


87 


friends. We thot your friends should come to you. So vve 
are following our philosophy.” 

William walkt with the girls to their homes that evening, 
throbbing in his every vein with new life. He had the fresh- 
ness of a first spring morning after a weary winter, and the 
gladness of a soul set free. What a blessing, he thot, that 
we have women T What a joy to be a part of them! Trials 
might arise with the morning, but women force them soon to 
take wing. 

“God bless them,” said William as he strolled homeward, 
“there is just one course for me to pursue.” 


CHAPTER IX. 


Be still sad heart and cease repining, 

Behind the dark cloud is the sun still shining; 

Thy fate is the common fate of all. 

Into each life some rain must fall; 

Some days must be dark and dreary. — Longfellow 

“Must I be carried to the skies 
On flowery beds of ease, 

Whilst others fought to win the prize 
And sailed thru bloody seas? 

“Since I must fight if I would reign, 

Increase my courage Lord. 

I’ll bear the toil endure the pain, 

Supported by Thy word.” 

News of the ouster of Rev. Smith by the recent state con- 
vention came to Seaton as an astonishment. It was difficult 
at first to make the people understand why their idol had fallen ; 
but when some of William’s utterances had been communicated 
to them, apart from their setting and with bias, the people 
concluded that the convention should be sustained. Since the 
markt gentleman was popular and magnetic, they knew that 
spasmodic and scattered efforts to remove him, however indig- 
nant they themselves might be, would avail nothing. Accord- 
ingly the foremost among them fomented designs to force the 
prodigal to depart or return as he went out. Apparently the 
pastor of Sinai Shrine was resolved to let them have their way, 
for he did not return to his pulpit until the second Sunday 
after the convention. Thus fee took all the time allowed for 
his vacation. 

When he reacht the thrifty, little town, his sermon was 
already prepared. In order to avoid contact with many of the 
people, he arrived on the midnight train. Thus he was able 
88 X / 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 89 

quietly to go home and obtain a good rest before the ordeal of 
the next day. 

Shortly before time for the service, he started for Church. 
He became interested on the way in surveying the passersby. 
What were their thots? What did they think of him? There 
was certainly no change in the words of greeting, no lessen- 
ing of the vigorous handshake. How could they be Christian 
and act otherwise? If these same people could lay loving 
hands upon the wicked, those who had not pledged themselves 
to follow Christ, how could they withhold this consideration 
from one truly born of God and specially set apart to do His 
work ? There was, however, a difference in their countenances. 
True Rev. Smith was to be chastized but it was to be the 
chastisement of God. 

Preparations had been made for his home coming. Each 
minister of the convention pastoring at Seaton, being almost 
ultra-conservative and therefore unanimously opposed to Wil- 
liam’s views, to let the town know in a formal way that they 
were a unit, had decided to preach on a designated Sunday 
from the same text, “Beware of false prophets.” This was to 
be one week before Rev. Smith’s return. The following Sun- 
day they preacht the text, “Dust shall be the serpent’s meat.” 
They argued that God the same yesterday, today, and forever 
never deserted his own. He had been their dwelling place 
thru all generations and lo, he would be with them always even 
to the end of the world. Thru the darkest days of slavery, 
thru the perilous reconstruction, they had walkt with God 
and God with them. How could He desert them now, when 
they believed in Him. Furthermore, the ministers urged that, 
since Rev. Smith had departed from the old doctrines, he had 
forfeited his right to leadership. Thus they were resolved to 
wrest it from him. At each congregation the majority of the 
members voiced the approval of the united effort. 


90 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


Tho unaware that this sermon was being preacht from 
the pulpit of his colleagues, yet somehow divining such, Rev. 
Smith uttered the final one. Pervaded with the opposition of 
the state ministry and with the cooling inspiration of Susan 
and Thelma, he sensed what was going on elsewhere. He 
chose, therefore, the familiar text, “He shall be like a tree 
planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth its fruit in 
its season.” He told his members what had occurred at Wil- 
liamsburg and that probably while he was giving his remarks, 
he was being denounced in the neighboring churches. He had 
always had a good attendance, but on this particular morning, 
large numbers were standing. The surplus had come not to 
worship, but merely to observe what would happen. 

Notwithstanding the fact that they had come out of curi- 
osity, William was happy to see them. Since they had very 
likely heard only one side, he thot he owed it to Seaton to 
present the other, for they were all followers of Christ; and 
tho they might go in different directions, they would finally 
assemble at the same place. 

The gist of the sermon was this. “Trees are of various 
sorts; and even trees of the same species differ. Of even the 
commonest trees abut us, the maple and the oak, you can find 
no two alike. They differ because the environments of these 
are not the same. A tree near a stream is bound to be richer 
than one away from such. 

“The tree near the rivers of water is likely also to be 
long-lived. 

“It gives fruit not prematurely, nor when it is too late; 
it bringeth forth its fruit in due season. 

“Finally, drought will sometimes reach other trees, but 

the leaves of this tree shall not wither. God has said it and it 
must be so. 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


91 


“In applying the text, I have in mind all people, but be- 
cause of recent momentous events particularly all ministers. 
I do not even exclude myself. 

“The tree is man. The water is thot. The river is im- 
mensity. Like trees we differ because of different parents and 
different associations. If we are planted: that is, established 
so as not to be moved, if we are grounded in the immensities 
of thot not only of the few men who wrote the Bible, but the 
thot of men of India, of Egypt, Persia and other lands ; in the 
thot that not only of the past and of the present, we are richer 
than they who have only the thot of one land and that of the 
past. We communicate the thot we have thus received in- 
spired by God. Those having little give little, those having 
much give much. 

“Remember the rivers move on and no one can bathe in 
the same stream twice. Thus the tree by the water ever has 
fresh food and gives luxurious fruit. So it is with man; a 
life fed on stale food naturally stagnates.” 

In closing, Rev. Smith became very personal. His hearers 
had been deeply swayed, for tho they had harkened to some 
machinations of the throng, they had to commend a personality. 
“On Tuesday night,” he said, “the Church will meet and decide 
as to whether I am to be re-elected or not. May your judg- 
ment not fail you! Nothing will change my attitude toward 
you. I have served you faithfully in the greatest and I will 
serve you equally in the least. 

‘‘Because I have ever lookt for better things even before 
I was called to the ministry, and before I came here, I can not 
now use the other thing. I may not have brot forth fruit 
recently in its season, but the fruit hitherto was always strictly 
on time. I am, have been, and eve. shall be a tree planted 
by the rivers of water. I stand for progress; I will move 
abreast of the times. I will always bring forth the new that 


92 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


is worth while, if I can find it. And as the years change, so 
will I. This may mean that you will not want me, but God 
does. I can go elsewhere. I am a minister not only in the 
pulpit but out of it. 

'‘This is a serious moment, but serious moments must come 
and with them defeat or victory. However, I can not believe 
that I was born to fail ; my mother has suffered too much to 
give me birth. She came of a tribe of African stock, that knew 
nothing but ultimate achievement. What one may now call 
defeat may eventually be attainment. Does not defeat often 
prove to be real success? Of course. Today we fail, and so 
tomorrow and tomorrow. But do we yield? Not at all. Cloud 
and fog fast fall upon us, we pine and grieve, we languish 
amidst forgetting folk. Still we try. At last when we have 
nearly despaired, convinced that our efforts were in vain, we 
have achieved the coveted renown. Sunshine came after rain, 
rejoicing after sorrowing. What seemed defeat was a glo- 
rious victory.” 

When William left the pulpit at the close of the services, 
he noticed some of the older folk who had usually lingered to 
shake his hand, did not stay this afternoon. The faces of 
many showed signs of disappointment, for these expected de- 
nial or retraction. Since neither came forth in his discourse, 
here and there disapproval was strongly exhibited. Strangers 
could not have discerned it; but the members could. The 
deacons omitted the social chat and merely attended to the 
business of the day. This added to the omission of an invita- 
tion to dinner from the elderly people distinctively indicated 
what should be. The younger people were for him, but not 
the others. But in William’s heart there was malice towards 
none. 


CHAPTER X. 


It is not prosperity, but adversity that proves the man — 

Bacon 

Several months after William had resigned the pastorate 
of Sinai Shrine, the ministerial conference assembled in ex- 
traordinary session. The divines thot they had played a trump 
when they swayed the members to vote not to re-elect the 
young pastor. The battle, however, was far from being won. 
Smith had taken a more strategic position, as it were. He had 
found employment in the public schools. To discuss this was 
the business of their meeting. They had approacht the prin- 
cipal and superintendent in vain, now they desired to find a 
way to reach the members of the School Board. 

At the appointed hour the conference opened and pro- 
ceeded with dispatch. Having finisht the preliminaries with 
unusual expedition, the president called for the new business. 
All faces were resolute, radiant with an understanding of what 
they were to do. Tho devotionals had been greatly curtailed, 
the more energetic ministers seemed restive. They were happy, 
however, in their responsibility, happy in their confidence. 

Acknowledged leaders of the community, they were very 
eager to keep and get all possible distinction. With this in 
mind, Rev. Canty, pastor of Christ’s Church, arose and said, 
“Mr. President, you know our business. We are here to de- 
cide upon ways and means of removing a great annoyance. 
We succeeded in effecting Rev. Smith’s resignation, but that 
is all. He is yet in town and worse than that he is teaching 
in the public schools. There he will get the children of all 
our churches and with his heresay lead them to destruction.” 

Rev. Matthews, pastor of Hebron here interrupted, say- 
ing, “Pardon me, Rev. Canty, I’m just as desirous as you to re- 


93 


94 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

move any nuisance; but I’m not here to throw mud. If we 
speak the truth, we must admit that Rev. Smith is at least a 
gentleman. A man like him is not going to lead anyone to 
destruction ; he will undoubtedly teach doctrines incompatible 
with our faith, but he will not ruin a life.” 

As this wsa a round table argument, the President al- 
lowed them almost absolute sway in determining who should 
speak and what should be the time permitted. This was a 
fortunate circumstance for those of the opposition, when Doc- 
tor Matthews made his startling remark. Thus there followed 
considerable heated discussion, for the prevailing feeling was 
that Smith should not be in the schools. True the schools 
were undenominational, yet the pastors strongly believed that 
the man of their condemnation was too good a preacher, too 
thotful and inspiring, not to win a following among the youth. 

“Didn’t he make of the poorest young peoples’ meeting 
in town the largest and most interesting?” inquired Rev. 
Young, impressive of voice and bearing, and long pastor of 
Saint Johns. 

“We must concede that he understands youth, being much 
nearer to them than any of us,” remarkt Rev. Canty, pained 
by the truth of it. “Hence we are compelled to remove the 
menace.. As a plan of carrying our point, I suggest that we 
preach a special sermon to our people in order to have them, 
in continuous streams, voice their disapproval to the princi- 
pal, who I am sure, would then suggest that Rev. Smith would 
go elsewhere. If we get him out of the public schools, that 
would be enough. We should have accomplish^ our aim and 
should be willing to stop there.” 

“Would you stop there?” said Rev. Lester, the venerable 
pastor of Seaton, a man loved almost equally by all the groups ; 
radicals, progressives, and conservatives. “I should like to 
know anyhow why you are bringing up this action against the 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


95 


young man. For he has acted like a prince. I defy anyone to 
mention an instance of his reproaching or rebuking us. Men- 
tion his utterance against us.” All were silent. 

“Why preach a sermon against him?” he resumed. “To 
act as we did some months ago would be shameful and in- 
famous. Think of all the ministers preaching from one text! 
What a disgrace ! How bitterly I have regretted it ever since ! 
We all say that we are inspired by God. Then tell me, pray, 
how often has he inspired any two of us to preach the same 
text on the same Sunday. As we are different, we are inspired 
to different thots, altho by the same God. If we should re- 
peat that act, where would be the inspiration? God would not 
be in it. It would come from Satan, from malice and not from 
love. But what is the basis of your complaint?” 

“This is our grievance and a sore one,” said Rev. Young r 
who like Rev. Canty felt that something should quickly be 
done. “Rev. Smith approved a dance in school.” 

“What can we charge concerning that?” inquired Rev. 
Lester. “What you have just said would be a just reason for 
unfrocking a minister, but you’ve already done that for a 
less sufficient cause. Rev. Smith is no pastor. You know that ; 
he’s simply a teacher. Besides, if you are going to take from 
the public schools all those teachers who either dance or ap- 
prove of dancing, you wouldn’t have anybody to carry on the 
work. In many of the high schools of the country, boys and 
girls dance together without offense. I remember having seen 
such in Washington, D. C., Chicago, and New York. 

“Gentlemen, you are well aware that I’m ready to attack 
vice without delay ; but I do believe in meeting it properly. In 
the case of dancing that is vicious, I’m ready to attack it now ; 
but is the dancing which is conducted in public schools vicious ? 
If it is, we have been asleep for many years. We have al- 
lowed it to become a part of the curriculum of all first-class 


96 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


public schools and many private ones. It is in the kinder-; 
garten, the grades, and the high schools. If this is our griev- 
ance, it is not Rev. Smith we should attack, but those who are 
responsible for its being a required feature of the school 
program. 

“Let us injure no man, especially one who has been true 
to us under our machinations. Some day he’ll be among us 
again. He’s coming back. I have the faith.” 

“Probably that is not a just ground for complaint; still 
I felt that one called of God should not approve a dance,” 1 
resumed Rev. Young. “One other grievance, however, remains.; 
Rev. Smith is calling our childrens’ attention to love, whereas: 
we should like for them to postpone it as long, as long as 
possible.” 

At this point there was universal consternation. Some 
opened their mouths and kept them so for a while. Others 
uttered excoriating sighs. Some rose. Others sat in uneasy 
chairs. The president at once proceeded to get order. In the 
midst of this confusion, to the dire astonishment of all, Rev. 
Smith came in and greated them good morning. 

Why had he come? That was the question. When cer- 
tain that our plans are well laid, that they are the consumma- 
tion of hours of patient reflection, there rises within us the cer- 
tainty that, come what will, they can not miscarry. Since they 
were contrived in secret, they would continue in secret until 
the time deemed convenient for their execution. For the in- 
conceivable to happen, for premature opposition to get the 
right of way, our ministers were not prepared. 

Rev. Canty, who had been most tenacious in his conten- 
tion, at once revealed the greatest loss of self-possession. He 
was wholly taken off his guard. Under such circumstances, 
if some one else acts first and then the stern aggressor is given 
a few moments to himself for reflection or a thrust, he would 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


97 


come back with another almost irresistable onslaught. So the 
chief accuser was placed. Rev. Canty hoped that just for an 
instant Rev. Young or someone else would take the initiative. 
He could not recall when he had been so much disturbed as he 
was then. Why did not some proper utterance or event de- 
tract his thots from himself ? Why could he not continue to 
think out a resistance? Had he been basically wrong, had he 
I been unjust? What spell was this? Why could he not speak? 
Why was the moderator tongueless? Why did Rev. Smith 
just await the ministers’ bidding? 

The young man whose career had been challenged stood 
a master diplomatist, silent to the dismay of all. Calmly and 
patiently he surveyed his accusers, as if thru telepathy striving 
to divine their purposes. Not a face wore a welcome, and dis- 
tant were the smiles. Since he was flayed an incongruity 
and labeled a malefactor, let those with just complaints lodge 
them in his presence. 

Rev. Canty wondered how William learned of the meet- 
ing. He soon dismist the thot tho. It was not a question of 
how the young man came there, but how ought they dispose 
of him. The arch-aggressor, because the others failed to act, 
knew they were waiting on him. Any dereliction on his part, 
he felt might be positively detrimental to his designs. After 
a few moments of unnerving silence, Rev. Canty, to get his 
bearings went to a window near by and raised it as far as it 
would go. The place was not in need of ventilation, as any 
one present would have testified. Not the body but the mind 
was ill at ease. Just as the sash went up, a woman, jubilant 
and robust, passed by with a basket of clothes upon her head. 
And as she walkt along, with a voice of overwhelming sweet- 
ness, she sang this old familiar tune : 


98 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


“Must I be carried to the skies 
On flowery beds of ease, 

Whilst others fought to win the prize 
And sailed thru bloody seas? 

“Since I must fight if I would reign, 

Increase my courage Lord. 

I’ll bear the toil endure the pain, 

Supported by Thy word.” 

The ministers listened rapt on every word. Rev. Canty 1 
beckoned for the ministers to observe the singer. Thus the j 
spell was broken. “H'ow remarkably God consoles even the i 
worst of us !” he said. “We never have greater burdens than i 
we can bear. But let us return to business.” The pastors 
soon returned to the conference, eager to bring it speedily to j 
a close. When all were seated, Rev. Canty said with much I 
spleen, “Mr. President, this young man, a markt individual, 
has overstept many proprieties by coming here. Brother 
Moderator, I demand an explanation.” 

The President, having no desire to delay the crisis, with- 
out ado askt Rev. Smith to make a statement. 

“Gentlemen, since you desire it, I will make a statement,” 
said the former pastor of Sinai Shrine with a smile that be- 
spoke an unconcern as to what had been planned against him. , 
“I have come to be at your service.” Then he sat down. 

This was another surprise, for very few were satisfied. 
Rev. Canty, now himself again, became persistent. “Doctor,” j 
he contended, “the distinguish gentleman conducts himself 
rather obscurely. What does he mean? He has convinced us 
that his sphere is different from ours; and yet he comes among 
us. What effrontery some men will have! When will they 
learn that some conventionalities are sacred? Gentlemen, it 
is almost impossible for me to understand it.” 

As he spoke, Rev. Smith lookt at almost everyone pres- 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 99 

ent, trying to grasp unspoken thot. He was certain that the 
ministers were not neutral, that either they were for him or 
against him. When Rev. Canty paused, William arose with 
his accustomed grace, positive and assertive. With his clarion 
voice that easily filled the assembly room, he said, “I was not 
aware that you held secret meetings. Hitherto, not only min- 
isters but laymen of any dehomination have been permitted to 
come. Then why should I be unwelcome ?” The situation was 
fully comprehended by him. 

“Rev. Smith, our meetings are not secret,” put in the 
President determined at all hazards to lay the matter bare, 
“yet when we go into extraordinary session, until our plans 
have been well formed, we prefer not to clash with opposing 
forces out side of our group.” 

“Yet, often the clash might be indefinitely posponed, if 
the individual likely to confront you contrarily would be with 
you at least awhile,” interrupted Rev. Smith. 

“We have assembled to organize plans to have you modify 
your teaching. You have disturbed us, annoyed us, bored us. 
Not satisfied with making many of our members disgruntled, 
you seek to make fickle all our young, or lead astray the con- 
scientious.” Rev. Canty was angry and made the young de- 
vine feel it. 

“Something of this nature had come to my ears, as I 
visited some of my former members. I learned that some par- 
ents were told by their children that I had discussed love af- 
fairs in school. Some probably thot that I was urging their 
children to marry prematurely, when nothing was farther from 
my purpose. They evidently did not understand me. You do 
not understand, yet ignorant of the situation, you seize upon 
this as a basis for having me removed from my position. 

“Do not for a moment be deceived. If you can get me 
out of a position, I hope you will enjoy the accomplishment. 


100 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


l am not here to ask you play hands off. As I said at first, 

X came to help. Gentlemen, do not forget that you are God’s ! 
chosen. Do not debase yourselves. Do only what is right. , 
My business in the world is to make people happy by being j: 
good and helping them to be the same. Since even ministers | 
are sometimes mischievous and you may be so now, I have ! 
come not to make you uncomfortable, but to serve you.” 

“Well, let us have the service,” thundered Rev. Canty - 
very impatiently. “And don’t be long about it. Our time is 
valuable.” 

“I’d at least be courteous,” replied William with his ac- ■ 
customed grace. 

“Rev. Canty, be silent,” said the President. “I think I I 
have charge of this meeting. Let Rev. Smith proceed.” 

When the President, gained control once more, William \ 
resumed his remarks. “I was teaching Tennyson’s ‘Idylls of 
the King.’ Have you read them, gentlemen?” 

Of twenty pastors present only four knew of the book. 

Here the young divine related the story and proceeded to j 
discuss it as he had presented it in class save for the literary 
merit. “The idyl which has occasioned the present altercation ■ 
is called ‘Lancelot and Elaine.’ Lancelot, the favorite knight 
of a noble king, by several remarks incited Elaine, a beautiful, I 
simple maiden to love him — a man of fifty-four, a girl of 
eighteen. She askt him do her a favor — to wear a pledge 
as he fought at a tournament. This request was equivalent to 
asking him to wear an engagement ring. After he was 
wounded, she nursed him back to health. To reward her, he 
instructed her to speak the wish nearest to her heart. Since 
he told her that in wearing the pledge, tho to disguise himself, 
he had never before done so much for any woman, she natur- 
ally thot she was preferred above all. She spoke her dearest 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


101 


wish, which was to become his wife. When he rejected her 
love, she askt to follow him around the world. He said ‘that 
could not be/ 

“Then he offered her land. This she would not accept. 
At length he left her without saying goodbye. 

“Whether this classic should be taught to high school pu- 
pils, I am not prepared to judge. Superiors in making the 
course of study have deemed it a proper work. As a member 
of the teaching staff, I am pledged to teach it.” 

“But what was your interpretation,” inquired Rev. Canty 
with a jerk, for he wanted the good or ill done quickly. 

“I said that if a young man had made overtures of the 
same kind as those of Lancelot to one of our young women, she 
would have spoken the wish nearest her heart. Very likely. 
If this request to be the wife had been rejected, however, our 
young lady would not have askt anything else. Why then did 
Elaine entreat it? Why did she have to die? This was my 
answer.” 

The ministers were intensely interested. “Elaine lived not 
in a great city nor one of middle size. Society was rural, thus 
the houses were far apart. She lackt a mother and all that 
such possession implies — motherly counsel and else. Reared 
apart from girls and deprived of association "with many young 
men, she clove to the first she saw, with affection for no one 
else. If she had had the privilege of our girls of today as in 
public schools, to be in class with boys, to see them in the halls 
and talk with many, she would have been forced to make a 
choice and her love would not have been of the dangerous 
sort that cannot survive a refusal. Elaine’s was purely a case 
of unguided love. Such was my interpretation to try to pre- 
vent the occurance of Elaines.” 

“Doctor, you have a silvery tongue,” said Rev. Canty with 


102 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

a slur, “I’m glad you've come. We shall consider your ex- 
planation for its worth.” 

“Gentlemen, as I have already said,” responded William, 
apparently unaffected by the sneer of Rev. Canty, “I live not 
to injure but to help. Is your life purpose the same? Are 
you trying to help or to injure me? If my being at Douglass 
High School, retards the progress of the community or if it 
must prevent my aiding the people as I deem I should, I can 
leave. But do not think I will leave the state. My career has 
been determined by this vicinity and until I have spent an 
equal number of years in service as payment for my debt to 
those at hand, my ear is deaf to other fields.” His attitude was 
a challenge. He arose once more and lookt about the assembly. 
Then he concluded thus, “I hope I have been of service. May 
God bless you!” He departed almost as . unexpectedly as he 
had come. 

The latter part of the next month found Rev. William 
Smith practicing law at Seaton, yet not unharrassed by many 
pastors. Since few of the members of the churches brot their , 
legal problems to his office, tho he had been well recommended 
by the State Bar Association, he thot that the Ministerial Alli- 
ance had not acted exactly right. They opposed him as minister, 
teacher, and lawyer. Could they not distinguish between the 
man and the office? Must personality enter in? Regardless 
of all ill feeling, he would continue his practice at least until 
spring, when he would decide upon a permanent work. Then 
it would be a plunge into a weltering flood, to sink or swim, 
survive or perish. 

One day in January— several months after the conference 
— when the blinding snow was reminding the improvident of 
their follies, Reverends Smith and Canty met in front of Sinai 
Shrine. Tho it was rather cold, William removed his glove. 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL ld3 

Rev. Canty did the same. They shook hands vigorously. Many 
happy recollections and bitter memories forced themselves to 
view. “Rev. Canty,” said William calmly, but with a pleasing 
defiance, “you have now exhausted your devices — at least 
against me. I have decided to return to the ministry. Tho 
at first a great portion of my time will be devoted to pastoral 
work, I shall preach regularly. I will rise among you and you 
shall hear from me.” The lawyer would not stay for a reply. 


CHAPTER XI. 

All that is wrong concerning him is paraded before 
the world in such a way as to involve the whole race, 
irrespective of merit or demerit, while his worthier 
acts go unnoticed — the heroic efforts of thousands of 
them to render aid and benevolent assistance to yet 
other thousands on the inferior planes of life; the 
daily industry of millions in domestic service, on the 
fields, in the varied vocations of business, in the 
schools, churches, and on the fields of missionary en- 
deavor; the Negros' ambition shown in the purchase of 
lands from earnings eked from the most exacting econo- 
my, in the establishment and maintenance of libraries, 
in the founding of publishing houses, and in the estab- 
lishing of good homes — who knows of these things? 
—Riley. 

The issue will be settled in the Spring. The birds will 
come again in the Spring. Smith will attain a grandeur he can 
not see, in the Spring, the jubulant Spring. 

The months that lay before William were passing slowly, 
weary months of anxiety. He had before him ambitions which 
could not crystalize, until the long nights had past away. This 
by no means meant that he was not working; for he well pro- 
portioned his time for systematic endeavor, interspersed with 
timely recreation. Like a general amassing a wealth of mu- 
nitions and supplies, numbers of men, and bounteous informa- 
tion for many days before launching a campaign, William 
zealously planned his preliminaries not only for an effective 
organization, but for sure success. 

During these days he wondered how he might spend the 
bulk of his leisure moments. Should he break other customs 
or should he for the interim permit the right of way to any 
who sought to enter it? Was there now or had there been a 
demand for strict conformity? Did the wavering of the 
masses or the bigotry of the clergymen taking advantage of 
his seeming indifference expect a departure of any sort that 
would prove them right and him wrong? The ministers, rigid 
104 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


105 


as they were, were in a state of flux. The people mobile and 
fickle, awaited the dominant will which would sway them to 
pleasure or to ruin. Was he the posessor of that dominant 
will ? 

Such were William’s thots one wintry morning as he 
lookt from his abode upon the hurry of busy folk, enroute to 
the factory a few miles off, to get the fruits of honest toil. 

The day was cold but not offensive ; for tho worn counte- 
nances exhibited many cares, each face was bright with the 
gleam of morning. The younger folk, smiling and buoyant, 
were as free as the bare trees bidding the skies good day. Yet 
coats were buttoned snugly ; scarfs tho wantonly flying in the 
sportive air kept themselves about the necks of the willing 
workers. I can not say that there was a cadence, but there was 
a regularity of movement indicative of resolute people. Here 
were comedy and melodrama galore. Was there also tragedy? 

Turning towards the table our lawyer noticed “The Wil- 
liamsburg Post,” which had come in the night before. He 
scanned the news of the previous day until he came to the 
society columns, for he was eager to know not only of those 
in places of potency, but even of the plainer folk. The events 
were not out of the ordinary. There had been the accustomed 
number of births, deaths and marriages. In brief, all was 
going well. Yet one announcement engaged him especially, 
that of a party to be given at the home of Mrs. Annelle in be- 
half of her goddaughter, Letitia Strauss. It was the linen 
shower, the happy precursor of Letitia’s marriage. William 
wondered why he should be so obtuse as to have forgotten it, 
the opportunity to see and greet many old friends anew. The 
welcome of many now might be cold, rigid, or rebukingly 
artificial ; yet they would be glad to see him. He belonged to 
them, they belonged to him — each had contributed freely to 
make the other what he was. At this party he would find them, 


106 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


some with antipathies born of his religious breach and others 
with adoration for his courage. Should he go? There was 
his place, there was his treasure, and there was his heart. 

Since Susan, Thelma, and Letitia were upon the most 
intimate terms, he became promptly aware that he would be 
expected. “If I'm going,” he said to himself, having reflected 
a while, “I must obtain a worthy gift. To make a proper 
selection I should start now rather than wait until I arrive at 
Williamsburg. I have so much business to adjust today, that 
I can leave only on the late train. This would not allow suf- 
ficient time for a choice in Williamsburg. I must, therefore, 
make the purchase before going to my office.” 

Laying the paper aside, he turned again towards the 
window. The workers steadily moved on. This time he 
noticed particularly groups of men and women conversing with 
evident hilarity. Besides, girls and boys were following in 
their train. Were they equally happy? The frequent, zealous 
glance at each other, the hearty laughs, and the equipoise with 
which they passed assuredly reflected a satisfaction, which is 
one of the joys of life. Here certainly were comedy and melo- 
drama. Was there also tragedy? 

Wrapping himself securely, with an air of calm defiance, 
William stept into the street and joined the happy throng. 
Before him was the work of the day, together with thots of 
the following evening. However, he had not gone far from 
his home when he noticed in the street a little urchin of three 
years, a child of poverty. Hatless and almost shoeless, for 
several toes had burst their prisons to get an icy freedom, 
without a coat, with ropes for suspenders, with jacket and 
trousers tattered and unkempt, this lad was running directly 
down the street to obtain a rubber ball that seemingly would 
not stop. Rapidly approaching not far away, swerving from 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


107 


side to side with reckless speed, came an automobile. Two 
young men, easily recognized as the reprobate sons of the chief 
manufacturer of Seaton, wantons who put no premium on 
human life, occupied the front seat. Neither said anything to 
the other, yet with the same momentum, the car came on. 
They evidently failed to see the child. If they saw, they did 
not care, for no signal was given by horn, bell, or voice to 
warn the joyful, little lad. 

Several persons saw the danger, among this number was 
William Smith. He shouted at once to the driver to avoid 
the boy. Did he hear? Evidently not, for the automobile 
now was speeding faster than ever. Suddenly the child stopt, 
waved a good bye to his mother, who was on her way to earn 
his daily bread. It reminded our lawyer of the gladiatorial 
greeting. “We who are about to die salute you.” Upon hear- 
ing her name called the mother turned. , At once she saw the 
danger and shriekt. 

What should be done? Would not some one with great 
courage risk his life for the child? For attempt or rescue 
meant death or just bare escape. Quick must be the decision 
and quick the effort. The mother started for the merry lad 
but was restrained by several women at her side. She strug- 
gled to go, but fortunately they held on. They knew that 
at her home there were two daughters who needed a mother 
living, and not dead. Which did the community need the 
more, the mother or the child? With these gallant women 
there was but one answer. 

Faster and faster came the vehicle. Now the young fel- 
low stoop't to pick up his ball; then he sat down to toss it 
Shouts and cries from many troubled breasts sought to warn 
both child and driver. Yet neither seemed to heed it in the 
least. How in a crisis we may be entranced to defiance or 
indifference ! 


108 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

When William observed this combat between reckless-,; 
ness and innocence, convinced that action must be speedy, he 
wondered whether he was sufficiently quick of foot to make 
the rescue and escape. Then came the thot that this was a white 
child. Should he be willing to die even for it? Well trained 
as he was to lead a slighted race, should he give his life for 
this one child of the race that scorned him or save it for the 
millions of his race who loved him? If this had been his < 
child, and if a white man, filled with the hope of millions, hap- j 
pened to pass that way, would he sacrifice his life for a little 
black lad of poverty ? He quickly reacht his conclusion. He jj 
was living his life for man. It was not a question of white J 
or black, but where could he serve humanity. Here was a ! 
chance. 

He remembered that he had been a sprinter in college, ! 
having won many a hundred yard dash. He had always run 
as if it were a matter of life or death, in order that his a'lma 
mater might have the glory of splendid achievement. Once | 
he had fallen at the finish, exhausted ; but he had won. Now, j 
however, he was out of practice. Still this could be no de- ! 
termining factor. Before him at last was his first actual race 
for life or death. The others had been races with human 
beings ; this was a race for a human being — the greatest prize 
that all the world could give. Because it was an unusual race, 
many of his college tactics were of little avail. Upright he 
was to dash with his greatest rapidity until within a few yards 
of the little lad: when he must stoop and run low without 
lessening speed, seize the child and carry him to safety. 

As the automobile had not been heard, the same should 
be true of him ; lest the child frightened by a sudden and un- 
expected approach should run towards the vehicle to certain 
death. Like a flying meteor, this stalwart, black prince dashed 
ahead. Faster and faster he speeded on, faster and faster 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


109 


came the demon. How could a human being outstrip a miracle 
of mechanical ingenuity? Nearer and nearer they came to 
each other. Finally William reacht the lad and seized him, 
without the little fellow’s having been aware of his approach. 
The automobile was just a little more than a yard away when 
he graspt the tender boy. He made one step to escape with 
his prize. Then the vehicle struck his hindmost leg and 
whirled him round. He fell and the car hurled by. Shrieks 
and curses rose from the anxious and horrified onlookers. 
They grieved to see their champion fall. When the dust had 
settled, there could be seen death’s challenger, lying on the 
ground — unconscious and bleeding. The tattered child, how- 
ever, stood calmly at his side wondering what had occurred. 

The mother took her child and fondled him. Speedily she 
sought to thank William, but he was motionless. She put her 
babe aside, then lifted the head of the gallant, young man 
and began to apply her handkerchief to staunch his blood. By 
this time many workers were about her. “Take him to my 
house,” she urged. Most of those present wanted him car- 
ried to the drug store, but she insisted that he be given a soft 
place to lie and that a physician be called. Her request pre- 
vailed. Thereupon she dispatched this message to her em- 
ployer, “Tell Mr. Davenport that I shall be late today. Let 
him know r of this accident. I’m sure it will be all right.” ✓ 

It was not long before a physician came. A few minutes 
were sufficient to revive William and dress his wounds. His 
injuries were a wrencht ankle and several severe bruises, 
almost cuts, along the side of his head. As soon as this had 
been done, the mother thankt him because he had braved so 
much. She took him in her arms to help him sit, ministered 
to him in various ways, and enlisted the willing service of 
those about her. Here the barriers of centuries were broken 


110 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

down. True, he who had dared was black; but he was a man 
for all that. 

Slowly he regained his strength. About a half hour after 
he had been brot to the house he felt that he was himself 
once more. Then he askt if anyone had seen his overcoat. It 
was handed him, neatly brusht. The lady of the house tried 
to have him stay longer; but he informed her that he had 
much to do that day. She wisht he might rest. Now about 
to go, he askt for an old cane or a stick, with which to sup- 
port himself. A stick was quickly put into his hand. A few 
minutes later, he donned his overcoat, thankt those who 
had attended him, and limpt away. 

Tho the mother entreated his name and address, he 
would not tell. However, when he pulled out his muffler a 
tiny case fell on the floor. When he had gone, the gentle 
lady picked it up. She could not tell how it came there, nor 
could she guess what it was. Upon opening it, she saw several 
cards. She took one and read it. It ran thus, “Rev. William 
Smith, Attorney at Law, Room 391 Booker T. Washington 
Building.” She rejoiced to know who had rescued her child. 




T CHAPTER XII. 

t A. Tlie fountains mingle with the river 

And the rivers with the ocean, 

The winds of heaven mix forever 
. ; > With a sweet emotion; 

Nothing in the world is single, 

All things by a law divine 
In one another’s being mingle — 

Why not I with thine? 

See the mountains kiss high heaven. 

And the waves clasp one another; 

No sister-flower would be forgiven 
If it disdained its brother: 

And the sunlight clasps the earth, 

And the moonbeams kiss the sea — 

What are all these kissings worth, 

If thou kiss not me? — Shelley. 

The guests assembled promptly at the home of Mrs. 
Annelle, to inspire and make happy one of the most genteel 
girls of Williamsburg. As they stept into the spacious hall, 
specially designed for social functions, their smiling coun- 
tenances bespoke the praise of this stately maiden, Letitia 
Strauss, who had determined to know the best of life. Her 
rhythmic gait enhanced by a silk of old rose commanded the 
attention of all. 

The people there were truly joyous. Magic ditties which 
seemed to come out of Fairyland, dances old and new, alluring 
games, and intermittent feats elicited praise for the jollity of 
life. How excellent it was to live! 


Ill 


112 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


After the second dance, Henry Lee called his sister to 
one side. Thelma and Letitia, thinking that it was not a mat- 
ter requiring privacy, came also, merely to gather the news. 
They were following a basic instinct, and in this they knew 
they could not err. When they had reacht the drawing-room 
with its brilliancy and oriental trimmings, the girls seated 
themselves about a table, embellisht with artistic carving. 
Henry placed before them a newspaper, “The Seaton Post,” 
oointed to the article he wanted them to read, and then stood 
opposite them to enjoy divining their thots by observing their 
facial expression. 

“I had meant for it to be a secret,” he smiled, “but since 
you all have come, I’m willing that it be an open secret. What 
do you think of it ?” 

“Yes, what must we think of it?” said Thelma. “Don't 
crowd. Give us all a chance to look. No, it will be better 
for just one to read. Susan you can do this very well. Read 
for us all.” 

Susan read, “A DARING RESCUE BY A NEGRO, 
REV. WILLIAM SMITH, BARRISTER OF SEATON. He 
riskt his life for a child of one of our poorest families — a 
lad of two years. When we think that this man, so dear to 
his race, should take the chance he did for a member of that 
group which commonly looks upon his people with scorn and 
spite, we hope that there will come out of this adventure a 
closer relationship between the white and darker breeds of 
men. Rev. Smith is no common man. Had he been killed, 
his race would have suffered a great loss; for look where 
you may, you will not find in our environs one who has ac- 
complisht so much as he in developing a lasting friendship 
between the two racial groups.” The article then went into 
detail concerning the whole incident and commended the stand 
of the mother. The young people listened almost breathlessly. 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 113 

There was not intermittent comment. When they had finisht, 
they first lookt at each other. Then Thelma said, “It is just 
like him.” 

“I, too, am not at all surprised,” came from Susan. “I 
hope he isn’t seriously injured.” 

“The paper informs us that he finally went to his office. 
If this is true, I’m confident that he is much better now,” put 
in Letitia. 

“Since the incident occurred yesterday morning,” said 
Henry, “and as William has a vigorous constitution, within a 
few days he will be perfectly well anyway.” 

“We were hoping that he would be here this evening,” 
quickly spoke Letitia, slyly glancing at Susan. “He has never 
missed anything like this.” 

“Yet,” said Susan coyly, “We did hope that he would 
come.” 

Henry then displayed a yellow journal, “The Seaton 
Gazette.” At least it was “yellow” on the Negro Question. 
“Girls,” he remarkt with much vivacity, “here is an editorial 
in another paper on the same incident. You will be interested 
in following this, I know, for this periodical generally heralds 
our faults and keeps silent concerning our virtues.” 

They read, in this instance, with more fascination, but 
interspersed their perusal with spirited comment. Before they 
could come to the end, a familiar voice said, “Good evening, 
girls ! H'ow are you ?” They turned and greeted William 
Smith. “I’m glad to be with you, once I thot I couldn’t come 
— Why, hello ! Henry, I didn’t see you when I came in.” Each 
shook the other’s hand vigorously. 

“Im so sorry you have to use a cane,” said Susan, deeply 
moved by William’s limping. “It’s bad enough to have to 
wear head bandages. Doesn’t your ankle pain you more than 
your head?” There were many smiles. 


114 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


“Yes, it does. My head wounds are rather slight, even 
tho several stitches were necessary. 

All exprest their sympathy. 

“Well, old man,” said Henry, “I’m glad you escaped, foi 
we have much for you to do. I know you didn’t purposely 
come to see me, so I’m gone. Enjoy yourself with the girls. 
Of course, I’ll see you many times this evening and at least 
once tomorrow. You’ll not be leaving for several days, will 
you ?” 

“I go back tomorrow night,” answered William, “but 
as you said we’ll see each other many a time before, then.” 
Henry went to find Catherine Staples, the woman of his choice. 
As a matter of course, she had been informed first. Her ab- 
sence from the group was due to the fact that she desired to 
disclose the secret to others. About the first young person 
she met was Sinclair Young, the prospective groom and the 
gentleman of the evening until William came. After she had 
told a few, these did the rest. They were willing informers. 

The news of the exploit was soon known thruout the 
house; and tho Smith had quietly come in, fearing a demon- 
stration — for he knew that the events of yesterday might have 
got the speed of him — the people everywhere were aware of 
his presence. Crowding the drawing-room, they heapt upon 
him an avalanche of congratulations. William tried to slink 
out of view, but he could not. When the orchestra gave the 
signal for a quadrille, those who had commended him pro- 
ceeded to arrange for the dance. Soon all had gone except 
William, Susan, Thelma and Letitia. Sinclair came for 
Letitia, for the dance was on. Then Beckett King came for 
Thelma. At first she lookt at him haughtily, as if he had 
been a transgressor of her peace. Then she started for the 
hall. As she reacht the door, she turned and said, “William, 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


115 


your achievement now is certain. Had any one else attempted 
that rescue, death would have claimed him. But you were 
spared, spared for us. And we are spared for you. This 
is the blessing of Providence.” 

'‘Why had Thelma said this?” thot Susan. “This con- 
gratulation was quite different from all the rest. It con- 
tained an appeal that went to the soul. She had noticed that 
Thelma was no longer deeply interested in Beckett King, and 
tho she would go out with him occasionally, her utterances 
of him no longer told of a hero-worship which was constant 
the summer William went South. Was that speech a chal- 
lenge? The words were such as any acquaintance might have 
spoken, but the air with which she pronounced them was 
very portentous. Susan recalled the conversation on her porch 
the evening after that spectacular feast at Pilgrim. 

Thelma had said with great frankness, speaking of girls 
and of William, “We all have our ambition for the noblest. 
And there is no sensible girl in this town who doesn’t acknowl- 
edge him our best. It is a game. Be sure you play it well. 
If he wants you; why, you are his. If he wants me, then 
I am his. But at present the honor is all yours; and I am 
giving you the right of way.” Then flashed before her an- 
other potent utterance of Thelma spoken that same evening, 
when she informed the girls that her mother had said, “Be 
patient and wait.” Thelma had affirmed as a reply, “If the 
mother is to marry the man, let her do as she wishes. But 
when the time comes for me to marry and I see the man I 
want, I do not promise to wait. Wait? Wait for him to 
choose someone else, I suppose? I’ll make the fight of my 
life to get him; there will be no escape. We’ll fight it out if 
it takes all summer. If I lose, I will have made a good fight.” 
The whole scene came before her like a panorama. Evidently 
Thelma had come to the decision that now was the time for 


116 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

her to marry. Probably at last she had seen the man she 
wanted and had resolved to fulfill her prophecy of several 
years past. 

If Susan understood any woman other than herself, it 
was Thelma. She knew that the belligerency characteristic 
of Miss Haskell in her childhood was even with her now. 
The words spoken on that momentous evening were even 
at this time very important and prognostic. Thelma by her 
utterance made as she arrived at the door of the reception 
hall had apparently, so far as her friend was concerned, cast 
a bold defiance. Susan was quite aware that she must pick 
up the gauntlet and enter the lists. Accordingly she thot, 
“William must speak tonight'’ 

Susan tried to analyze the feelings of the man she loved, 
but he was not one to wear them on his face. Then she re- 
membered that while Thelma was speaking, she herself had 
not lookt at him; she had been regarding her friend, Thelma. 

When all the others had gone, and at last she and Wil- 
liam were alone, Susan led him to the divan. She desired 
not to be disturbed. When they were seated, she said taunting- 
ly, “Pardon me, please, but I brot you here, taking for granted 
that you didn’t plan to dance. Had you made any arrange- 
ment for such?” 

“Susan, do not mock me. You know I’m a minister,” he 
pleaded. 

“But how liberal you are, William !” She pronounced his 
name with great affection. “Most ministers would do away 
with all laughter and enjoyment.” 

“People do call me liberal. I am probably, however, more 
practical than liberal. I see that it is instinctive for people 
at times to give vent to their feelings in rhythmic motion. They 
do this even in their religious services. Those not possessed 
of a strong religious fervor will dance. Such at least is my 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


117 


conviction. Yet I can not subscribe to unrestricted dancing. 

I oppose public receptions, because the people dance indis- 
criminately and without supervision. I have nothing to say, 
however, against a supervised, private dance, where one knows 
or may become well acquainted with all the others. 

“Furthermore, if I were not a minister I — I'd ask you 
join me in a quadrille.” 

“Then, William, you think it all right for the masses to 
dance but not for ministers. Why shouldn’t right be the same 
for all persons?” she inquired in the spirit of twentieth cen- 
tury impatience. 

“So it is, tho some believe it to be otherwise. To be 
frank, Td dance here tonight, if I did not believe it would 
interfere with some work I aim to do in the spring. Some- 
times in my efforts to aid the younger folk, I see them 
practicing so much vulgarity with their dances, that I feel 
like calling upon the ministers and their wives together with 
other earnest church folk, to learn to dance, open a dancing 
school and teach our generation the beauties of rhythmic 
motion. 

“If ministers would do this service, they would get a firm 
hold on their young people, such as they have never had. But 
for me to suggest this to them even ten years from now would 
be an aeroplane's dropping a bomb on an unfortified city. Yet 
if I enter an assembly like this two years from tonight, I will 
hardly miss a dance, and I will be a minister still. Bishops 
used to train people to dance without any lowering of their 
religious dignity. The same can be done today.” 

At this utterance, she smiled. “With eagerness I’ll be 
waiting for those years to pass. I certainly want to see you 
on the floor. With whom will you take your first dance?” she 
inquired playfully. 

“With my wife I hope.” 


118 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


Susan paused, questioning whether she should ask what 
crost her mind. Would the boldness be a sacrifice of modesty? 
Her mother had said wait, let the man take the initiative. She 
had waited long and so had Thelma. Susan delayed no longer. 
“Pardon me for being bold, but do you have any idea who 
the lady will be?” Tho she smiled again, William began to 
feel the sure charms of a noble woman enmeshed by many 
conventionalities. 

“I have not decided that as yet. I do have an idea as to 
whom I should like for it to be. That’s my principal reason 
for coming here tonight. I’m old enough I think at least to 
begin to settle the question of marriage.” William had never 
been so confidential. Whom could he have in mind but her? 
But hadn’t she led him on? Still if he did not mean to con- 
sider her, why did he not tactfully turn the question, to dis- 
cuss some other subject? He continued confidentially. “Do 
you think you could dance with a minister ?” 

Susan somewhat bowd her head. “If you were to leave 
the ministry, I’d dance with you at any time upon any occasion. 
Scruples would go to the winds. If you were to ask me to 
dance with you tonight, I think I could not. I’d beg you not 
to insist, and you would yield. Wouldn’t you? However, 
if the minister, two years from tonight, should ask me to 
dance with him in public, I could do so. I should have pre- 
pared myself for it.” 

“Would you require that much time?” he askt sportively. 

“I’m not sure, but I certainly could not bring myself to 
do so tonight, even if you were ready.” 

“Is there present any young woman who would do so?” 
Now he was teasing. 

“Thelma would be so defiant, I believe.” Why did she sav 
“defiant?” 

“Now tell me why you would not.” 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


119 


“Mother and some of the older members of Pilgrim 
wouldn’t like it. They’d accuse me of making you fall from 
grace. You know I desire their benedictions.” 

Then turning the conversation somewhat, he said, “Susan, 
we met during my years in high school but casually. Towards 
my graduation, we did find time to establish a close friend- 
ship. The summer before I first went to college, I saw you 
by appointment, but not frequently.” 

“That was because I followed strictly the counsel of my 
parents. When I had made my debut, however, I became more 
self-propelled ; but by that time you had to go away.” 

“You know, however, ‘that I admired you,” he spoke 
fondly. 

“But the heart craves more than admiration.” 

“Then came our letters, ceasing to be formal, vividly an- 
nouncing a mutual love. Since I have finisht my schooling, I 
have had ample opportunity to study you closely. I do not say 
I know you thoroly ; for we can become better acquainted.” 

“I understand.” 

“I came here this evening to ask you to be my wife. Very 
unconventional isn’t it for a minister to make a proposal of 
marriage at a dance?” 

She admired his frankness and directness; even tho he 
had made it difficult for her to reply. At length she said, 
“And you’re not going to ask?” Of course she meant the 
opposite. Her entire being indicated this. Her eyes spoke 
worlds of entreaties, to say nothing of many graces. 

“I was wondering if we could be happy together.” He 
held her hand tenderly. “Susan, there is no question in my 
mind about my love for you. I certainly love you more than 
any woman I’ve ever met. It is because I do love you truly 
that I could give you up, if by so doing I should make you 


120 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


happier or not less happy. I’m trying to decide whether we’d 
be good companions. I think the dispositions of the man and 
wife should be such as to make capable the blending of ideals. 
None will injure the object of his affections. 

“My ambition is to lift my race, regardless of all opposi- 
tion. I am ready to defy any organization which obstructs 
my way. I’m practically a reformer, as such I must from 
time to time change. And I will change too rapidly for those 
about me ; consequently I may occasionally be ostracised, l 
C ould you bear this, could you share in this work, or have 
you been educated to stay aloof from society? My work will 
frequently be hazardous, indeed, at time perilous. If forced 
to protect your home, could you do so? Of course, I should 
supply you with abundant arms and ammunition. 

“I mention all this, for I would not have a woman marry b 
me for one thing and get something else. I believe in letting 
her see the worst of it as well as the best. You know I’m 
able to give you a living not in the least inferior to that you 
now enjoy. There will be romance, but also stern realities. I 
I do this because I believe in marriage as a contract. As such s 
the terms should be fully known to both, and a breach of faith 
should make divorce speedily obtainable.” 

“William, I have thot, and I believed we could be truly 
happy. You are indeed more radical than I, but wouldn’t 
my love offset that?” j| 

“Susan, I’m ready to give my life to make you happy, but 
I will not give it to bring you sorrow. Thus I love.” 

At this point, he was interrupted by someone who had i 
just come. The stranger did not tarry long, but went promptly 1 
to the dancing hall. He had not gone many steps, before the 
orchestra stopt. Fearing another disturbance, he withdrew 
to the parlor. As soon as he reacht the place he said, “Come 
to the piano, Susan, and I will tell you how I feel.” As he 





Before lie could finish the parlor was being invaded 











THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


121 


could not move freely among the guests, he decided upon the 
parlor as the place where he might be most free. He felt like 
singing and entered into it with zest. He lookt at her loving- 
ly and then requested, “Play your favorite, my favorite.” It 
was “The Rosary.” Upon hearing the delicate strains, most 
music lovers would have felt certain that a professional was 
singing. So full and clear were the tones. His closing was 
truly a climax. 

Before he could finish the parlor was once more being 
invaded. Mr. and Mrs. Lee had now arrived and proceeded 
at once to find William to congratulate him. They were glad 
to find him singing for Susan. Conversations flowed along 
variously, but ever, now and then came hints o£ another an- 
nouncement — that of William and Susan. When the orches- 
tra began a minuet, however, the disturbers were gone once 
more. 

“Susan,” said William, “I have told you my feelings in 
speech and song. I will sing you another lyric which will tell 
the same. You see I love you. You see I will marry you, 
if our temperaments are not so diverse as to prevent genuine 
companionship. If you think we can, let’s decide now.” 

Why did he not positively ask her to marry him, and 
take the responsibility of making her happy? She would 
have assumed it for him, if he had only spoken as she had 
desired. Why did she not say anyhow, “William, we can be 
perfect companions; our rearing and education are not so 
widely diversed as to make ideal companionship impossible? 
You will be the best husband in the world. I will be the 
best wife. Isn’t that enough? Let’s seal it with a kiss.” 
Society said the man should take the initiative. “Probably it 
is better to wait awhile,” she thot. She waited. 

When the music in the dance hall ceased again, William 
offered to sing another song — “Then You’ll Remember Me.” 
It thrilled the souls of both. 


122 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


At the close of the linen shower, William walkt home 
with Susan, but he made no more formal proposal than that 
already spoken. At the door, he took her hand to bid her 
good night, but he did not kiss her. She wondered if he would. 
She hoped strongly, for she was well aware that had he kissed 
her, he would have proposed according to her most exact desire . 
This he did not do, but with a solemn expression and head 
somewhat downcast, he went home in deep reflection. 

As for Susan, she feared that she would lose him, if she 
did not act quickly. Within three days he would return. She 
would claim him then. 

In her chamber, almost thru the entire night, she mused 
upon Thelma’s momentous words : “If he wants me, then I 
am his. But at present the honor is all yours ; and I am giving 
you the right of way. * * * But when the time comes 
for me to marry and I see the man I want, I do not promise 
to wait. Wait? Wait for him to choose some one else, I sup- 
pose. I’ll make the fight of my life to get him ; there will be 
no escape. ‘We’ll fight it out if it takes all summer.’ If I lose, 
I will have made a good fight.” Had Susan made a good 
.fight? 


CHAPTER XIII. 


Love, now a universal birth, 

From heart to heart is stealing, 

From earth to man, from man to earth: 

— It is the hour of feeling. 

Some silent laws our hearts will make, 

Which they shall long obey: 

We for the years to come may take 
Our temper from today. — Wordsworth 

Sixteen months had past since William attended the linen 
shower. During these days many signal events had occurred 
to make more potent the life of Seaton and Williamsburg. 
Letitia had married Sinclair, Catherine had married Henry, 
but Susan had not been able to obtain the kind of proposal 
she desired. She was waiting. Probably he would come some 
day. William had not called regularly as previously. Susan 
had not inquired into his reasons, but lookt to herself to dis- 
cover the reason for the failure. Was her temperament against 
her? The handicaps of nature were the hardest to offset; but 
she would make the attempt. 

She lost no time. She estbalisht THE COLERIDGE- 
TAYLOR CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC for instruction 
in piano, organ, violin, violoncello, mandolin, and guitar, with 
five assistants. As she desired to test her initiative, she kept 
her plans secret until she was ready to mail her dedication 
announcements. The conservatory had from the time of its 
inception been carefully advertised, but the prime mover was 
unknown. Because of the location mentioned, many persons 
wondered who was the promoter. The affair, however, was 
so tactfully managed, that the public was completely sur- 

123 


124 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


prised. Because the enterprise was carefully planned, the 
institution was a success from its very opening. William 
and Susan were both satisfied. Since even her mother had 
not been consulted in this endeavor, she had an argument for 
her efficiency. 

Thelma was yet teaching in the L’Ouverture College, but 
she was devoting most of her spare time to community wel- 
fare work. She had reclaimed a number of girls from houses 
of ill resort, and having taught them the arts of the home, had 
them become industrial factors and makers of citizens. In 
this activity she had been aided by the Y. W. C. A., which 
rejoiced that she had started a work long neglected, but very 
necessary in our multifarious lives. That institution had 
vainly tried to reach the abandoned girls. The coming of 
Thelma was thus a providential favor. Since she had suc-1 
ceeded in an unparalled way, the workers of the Young 
Womens' Christian Association were glad to co-operate both 
in initial and follow-up work. The mistake had been made in 
the manner in which these persons had been approacht. Be- 
fore the administration of the present Secretary, the Young 
Womens’ Christian Association was an exclusive club for the 
wives and daughters of the best women in the town. The 
masses were approacht but only with an extreemly long 
handled spoon. Fortunately the last secretary was a woman 
of the people. When she explained her plans to Thelma, she 
found a willing missionary. Thelma had gone to those fallen 

human beings, not as their superior, but as their equal one 

prone to err. Her attitude was veritably that of a friend. 

So well had she conducted her work that she was hailed 
by the ministers as a palpable apostle of practical Christianity 
She was deemed the making of the Young Women’s Christian 
Association. 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


125 


The spring following the party at Mrs. Anneile’s William 
purchased a farm of six hundred acres, situated about eight 
miles from Seaton. On this tract of land he placed six five- 
room cottages for his croppers, whom he expected to work 
fifty-acre tracts. Near these houses he placed the necessary 
barns and stables, that his helpers might concentrate upon 
their special work, being able to start with the best advantages. 
This was a great advance because on the surrounding farms 
the people lived in cabins. About a half a mile from the rail- 
road he built a brick house and furnisht it like a house in the 
city among the well-to-do. 

For the home site he used five acres, w’hich he had de- 
signed by a landscape gardener, that it might have the appear- 
ance of a suburban estate. Across the entire front of the 
house he extended a porch in steel gray, colonaded w r ith Gothic 
pillars. Various plants which w r ould bloom thruout the season 
arose before the porch ; roses, rooster cones, hyacinthes, lilacs, 
snow-balls, crysthanthemums and others. About fifty yards 
from the house in every direction extended a neatly trimmed 
hedge, which appropriately set off the evenly cut grass. Here 
and there was placed shrubbery to add to the charm of sym- 
metry. Leading to the house were graveled walks which con- 
nected wuth the main road and that to the garage. 

About a quarter mile from this site he had built a church 
with a seating capacity of three hundred. Tho a frame struc- 
ture, it was beautiful, both within and without. 

About a quarter mile from the home site in the opposite 
direction, could be found the farm buildings which would 
come under William’s immediate supervision. Directly to the 
rear of his house was a fifty acre tract given over equally to 
an orchard and an experimental farm. The rest of his land 
was for staple crops. 


126 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

Here William spent most of his time, assuredly chang- 
ing the status of farmers about Seaton, preaching a progressive 
gospel to an increasing congregation, and commanding the 
attention and respect of the entire state. 

Thelma had been deeply imprest with the news of Wil- 
liam’s attainment and, like the Queen of Sheba dissatisfied with 

the report, she wanted to see for herself. 

The truth is Thelma had never had for Beckett King 
the deep affection she cherisht for William. As she had said 
on Mr. Lee’s porch that autumnal evening, she had given 
Susan the right of way. While Smith was in college and the 
theological school, she had shown Susan how to win. Up to 
the night of the linen shower, she had not placed an obstacle 
before her friend. What had caused her to change she would 
not reveal, but evidently she was bent on marrying the young 
clergyman, if she could; and Susan seemed to know it. 

To speak justly of Susan, none could call her narrow ; she 
had always been above little things. Not only would she re- 
frain from speaking ill of Thelma, when she discerned the 
change of attitude; she actually praised her. How noble is 
the soul of woman ! If she and Thelma now were rivals, such 
they had not always been. Thelma had never written Wil- 
liam a line, tho he had written her once from college. Whose 
advice had been the most pointed in her gaining the clergy- 
man’s affection? Thelma's. She was fully aware what should 
be done to marry the sometime prophet of Sinai Shrine. 

Sixteen months had elapsed since that eventful night, 
eight months more remained, at the end of which time he 
would dance with his wife. Would it be Susan or Thelma? 
She feared if she did not act quickly, it would be Thelma. 
At last she accepted her friend’s advice. She would make the 
fight of her life. 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


127 


That evening when Thelma came in, after having super- 
vised a club meeting at the Y. M. C. A., contrary to her wont 
Mrs. Anderson with whom she lodged was not on the porch; 
but was in the parlor with her mother — Mrs. Haskell — and 
Rev. Ross. Thelma knew that her pastor admired the sum- 
mer breeze with an appreciation more uproarious than her 
own. Altho the day had been unusually hot — it was the first 
week in July — there he was within doors. 

As soon as she had removed her hat and gloves, she re- 
turned to the parlor and shook hands with Rev. Ross once 
more. When she had seated herself in an arm chair, he spoke 
of her community work which had received practically all her 
time during the vacation. He commended her for it, hoping 
she would draw even more women about her as aids. 

Thelma had the highest admiration for her pastor, be- 
cause his every activity was guided by a conscious purpose. 
Thus she discerned at once that he had not come to discuss 
her service as a social worker. She decided therefore, to 
make him state his business. 

Mrs. Anderson, however, prevented this by interrupting 
thus, “Pardon me, but what do you think of the work of Rev. 
Smith?” she was about to answer her own question, but hesi- 
tated, when she saw that Rev. Ross was going to speak. 

“I think it really phenomenal,” put in Rev. Ross. “Each 
time I think of it I regret the fiasco which occurred at the 
Convention. If ever there was an apostle of Christianity, 
William is the man. Like Christ, he has been misunderstood, 
but he is in spite of it reaping a harvest of souls.” 

“Fm glad he has risen regardless of the opposition from 
those who should have helped him up. In their hearts, I 
know they are sorry, for they see that some day they must 
bring him back and apologize. Don’t fight against God,” said 


128 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


Mrs. Haskel, deeply moved. She was a Christian of the old 
school. 

“Somehow it has seemed queer to me,” remarkt Rev. 
Ross looking pointedly at Thelma, “that there isn’t a Mrs. 
William Smith on that estate. What’s the trouble, Thelma?” 
All who had grown up in his church from infancy he con- 
tinued to call by their first names. “I hope the girls of this 
town won’t let him escape, to be seized by a lady of Seaton.” 

“I think we’ll take care of that,” said Thelma smiling and 
did not blush at all. 

“I suppose some of the girls will be wanting to see that 
splendid estate. We’ll have to get up a party that they may 
go, won’t we?” he said to Mrs. Anderson. 

Thelma now knew’ that Mrs. Anderson had spoken to 
the minister of the conversation of the previous night. “What 
a delight that would be !” she exclaimed, “but I have decided 
to go tomorrow.” 

“I’ll try then to arrange for a party to go with you,” was 
the minister’s tactful remark. 

“Rev. Ross, I am going on business and will make the 
trip alone.” She spoke wfith firmness, her tone distinctly in- 
dicating that she desired no company. She was almost angry, 
but was doing her utmost to keep composed 

The minister was somewhat unprepared for such a direct 
thrust. Accordingly he had to pause for thot. While he re- 
flected for a reply, not a w^ord was spoken. Thelma was wait- 
ing for his next remark. The others felt themselves unquali- 
fied to take the initiative. At length, after a few moments, 
he said pleadingly, “are you aw’are of the risk you take?” 

‘‘I am aware of everything,” was her interruption. 

“You must remember tho you are a woman. If you do 
this, your name will become common gossip. When this hap- 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


129 


pens to a school teacher in this town, it is not long before she 
is compelled to do something else/’ the minister argued. 

“Rev. Ross, if the Board of Trustees wants my position, 
it Is welcome to it. 1 lived before they employed me, and I'll 
live when I have left them. You say I am a woman ” She 
emphasized the word. “Because I’m full grown, I feel that 
I can look after myself. If I should tarnish my character by 
making this call, I have womanhood enough to offer my resig- 
nation without any outside request ; if I thot I could not make 
it without being sullied, I never should have accepted the po- 
sition. Such is my confidence in the Board of Trustees, that 
I believe they would never have employed me, if they thot I 
could not make a trip like this, and end it as I’d begin it. You 
are impugning not only me, but those discreet gentlemen who 
placed me here. 

“You don’t know what you're saying. I went into ill 
resorts to save abandoned women and came out as I went in. 
You know how long I have been doing this. You and your 
entire brotherhood have praised me for my courage and 
moral strength. Now when I go to call on a man — the noblest 
character in these parts, the most lovable individual you've 
ever met , and you knozv it — you infer that my character will 
be besmirched.” 

“Don’t you see I’m trying to guard your good name?” 
Rev. Ross replied. “I believe in you fully, but it is not so with 
my associates. If you go unchaperoned, of course I will de- 
fend you. But I do not want to see you out of the schools, 
your influence over the girls has been most wholesome. So 
well do you know how to guide.” 

“The irony of it! Yet I can not guide myself. If I go, 
I suppose I shall be treated as was William. Well, I'll give 
the Holy Church a chance.” She paused to observe the effect 


130 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


of her bitter utterance. As no one spoke, she continued, “since 1 
I have reacht the age of discretion, I can manage my own af- 
fairs. I never let others attend to my business. It is proper 
for William to board a train to come to see me, yet it’s im- 
proper for me to board a train to go to see him. Men can do 
as they please, but women must not suit their fancies. Pie 
upon your double standard of morality that requires good j 
girls to marry trashy men, fie upon conventionalities which 
permit men to sow wild oats, but deny the same to girls ; fie fa 
upon your society women who will kick out one of their owni,^ 
sex, but will hurriedly embrace the scoundrel who ruined the 
girl they scorn. Such is the church, such is the home, such 
is society.” Rev. Ross wanted to speak, but she stopped him. i 
“I defy you all. If I hadn’t thot of going alone, I’d certainly 
go now. I’ve made up my mind. It would take all the powers 1 
of heaven to stay me, so it is useless for hell to try.” She al- * 
most screamed. L 

Mrs. Haskell was much embarrassed, the others were ^ 
greatly surprised. “Thelma,” said the mother, “it seems as; 
tho you have no respect for your pastor.” 

“Mother, I honor him in the highest. I appreciate his 
counsel, but I can not follow it now. I have there in Seaton i 
a work of my own to do and nobody can do it for me. I will ! . 
leave tomorrow at eight-thirty. Even at this time all is defi- : ; 
nitely arranged. I will remain here, however, only on one A 
condition ; that is, if nature opposes : if tomorrow the plains j 
become mountains and touch the skies ; if the streams I must * 
cross become shoreless seas ; if the lights of heaven and all } 
artificial light fade into mist.” 

‘ Thelma, I must admire you,” said the pastor. “Your r. 
strong will moves me irresistibly. Let me shake your hand. 
You have done too much for the Church for it to forsake you 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


131 


now. I can not speak for my brethren, but I can speak for 
myself. May the peace of God be with you always ! God 
speed you on!” Turning to the other ladies, he remarkt. 
“The’ma is true blue. I’d trust her with anything, even my 
life. Have no fear. She is able to take care of her self.” 

Thelma started towards the door, then turned and said, 
“Thank you, Rev. Ross. But will you excuse me now? I 
must be making ready for my journey.” 

“Certainly,” he said. Thereupon, she left the room. 


CHAPTER XIV. 


He is the living light-fountain, which it is good 
and pleasant to be near,. The light which enlight- 
ens, which has enlightened the darkness of the 
world ; and this not as a kindled lamp only, hut 
rather as a natural luminary shining by the gift 
of Heaven ; a flowing light-fountain, as I say, of 
native original insight ; — in whose radiance all 
souls feel that it is well with them. — Carlyle 

Tho William had been on his estate just a little more than 
a year, he had greatly changed the life of his environs. Can 
a man be born again? Who could doubt it now? Had not 
the cabins for ten miles around given place to cottages and 
weatherboard houses? Had not many who had left for the 
cities returned to the farms? Were there not more independent 
farmers just out from Seaton than anywhere in the state? And 
what had made possible the building of the new station but the 
new impetus give to farming? 

William had attracted considerable attention by experi- 
ments of various sorts at his demonstration farm. For in- 
stance, he showed the effect of different feeds on hogs, hav- 
ing been able to market the heaviest hogs on an extremely 
economical, concentrated food. Since his stock always topped 
the market, other farmers began to seek his methods. Furth- 
ermore, from the most uncompromising land, he had by care- 
ful treatment of the soil obtained the greatest yields of corn. 
Wherever his land was simply as good as that of a neighbor, 
he produced almost twice as much as his fellow farmer. He 
had exhibited also unusual skill in intensive truck gardening. 

William’s specialties were hogs and small grains, but since 
he was more than well versed in the many aspects of agricul- 
132 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


133 


ture, his experimental station became a frequent rendez-vous. 
Here flockt both white and black to learn of this wizard of 
the soil. 

The morning following Thelma’s conversation with Rev. 
Ross, William began the day’s work in his orchard. As it 
was likely that the threshing machine would not arrive until 
late in the afternoon, or the next morning, he would discuss 
with his croppers there some essentials of spraying and tillage, 
also to contrast certain features of his orchard with those of 
several unprofitable fruit farms nearby. One of these was 
on a well drained spot, an excellent site for a lucrative orchard. 
Its failure to bear had been due to the fact that it was planted 
in sod. The owner of that plot went with William to be in- 
formed along this line and observe the effect of cultivation on 
the delicacy of pulp and texture, and the vigor of the new 
wood. 

While in the midst of his discussion one of his helpers 
handed him a special. A glance at the familiar handwriting 
told him at once that it came from Susan Lee. He was eager 
now for noon to come when the demonstration would have 
been concluded, the visitors gone, and leisure present. Since 
he had to wait he resigned himself without more ado. From 
this point, the farmers promptly noticed, however, that there 
was a change in their instructor. His speech was rapid with 
a quivering tone. Yet the demonstration went on. 

How the time lingered! How perplexing the weariness 
of waiting! Once he colored with the flush of vehement emo- 
tion. Almost as frequently as he put thots of Susan aside, 
they returned with greater vividness. Thus he was stirred till 
noon when he could have sweet moments of undisturbed re- 
flection, when he could think of all she had been and all he 
hoped her to be. 

Fearing interruption by casual visitors, William did not 


|34 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL £ 

return to his house but went to his forest reserve at the farthest 
extremity of his farm. As he stretched on the ground, he no- 
ticed flitting and playing two humming birds. So happy they 
seemed that he envied them. He drew the letter from his 
pocket, opened it, then said to himself, “I wonder what she has 
to say now. What does she think of me ? She trusted during 
these years in my sincerity. Have I been false? I can not 
feel that I have. But she has waited alone for me. Sometimes 
I think I should go at once to Williamsburg and ask her point 
blank to marry me. Then I wonder if I can be the type of 
husband she desires. She wants me to find my comfort in sat- 
isfying her desire for a home life created and sustained with 
equal enthusiasm by us both. She loves the home, I love a 
public career, with a radicalism that may take me so frequently 
from her that I should almost have the status of a boarder. 
If I can not be indeed a husband, to furnish the companion- 
ship a mother and children should have, if I lead a life which 
would soon make my wife a widow and my children orphans, 
should I marry ? Is not this the very thing she would oppose ? 
And would I not pursue my present way of life, which is 
the result of years of thinking in spite of her opposition? 
This would create between us a gulf which might become well 
nigh impassable. 

“I love the girl I know better than my dreams of heaven. 
But when the question arises of spending days, weeks, months, 
and probably years with another, I should have in mind her 
good fortune rather than mine. If I can not make her happy 
I will not iriake her miserable, even for her own sake.” Then 
he paused in his revery and wiped his face, for it was quite 
warm. At length the decision came, “Let me see what she 
has to say. It may be possible yet.” 

He read carefully and with deep feeling. 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


135 


“William, my Dear: 

“How are you? Since we said we should be permanent 
friends, you will not think it presumptuous for me to ask about 
your health and welfare. For a month you have not called or 
written. Tho you know the reason, I am in the dark and dare 
not call for light. 

“Another month and another might have past without my 
writing, for tho miles may keep between us, our souls may 
touch with or without the aid of pen or voice. Tho there, I 
know your heart is here by your very silence ; and all the world 
is aware — the world in which I live — that my heart is happily 
with you. You love me, William? Am I wrong? I believe 
you because you have proved it ; you have said it, you have 
sung it, you have lived it. You love me more than any you 
have met. If 1 err, tell me so ; but for this you have no tongue, 
for if we live I have written truly. 

“Long has been my pondering and long my hesitation, you 
know I was taught to wait. However, the last few days have 
given birth to events which may greatly alter the lives of us 
both. I shall not here state what they are, but let it suffice 
that they prompt me now to act. My dear, you are a man, 
and being a man who has loved one woman, it i's impossible for 
you not to have varying inclinations for all my sex. I laugh 
to scorn his utterance who says of several women that he cares 
as much for one as for another. Such affection I consider 
wholly impossible. I agree with Canouib when he says, 

“Beauty must be scorned in none 
Tho but truly served in one’ 

These lines reflect your personality. 

“Almost a year and a half have past since you gave me 
hope of woman’s greatest joy. True to my sex, I have feasted 
on it, desiring always its immediate realization. In this you 


136 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


have made a conquest, but I have not, tho yet I have hope. 
Tho still I think you love me best even now, during these 
sixteen months your admiration for my friend, Thelma, may 
at this time border on the beginnings of passionate love. All 
this while you have been wondering whether to marry me. 
Have you not had sufficient time? I am ready to hear the 
best or the worst ; but please end the suspense. 

“It may happen that you will not marry me, but you will 
not find a woman who’ll love you more than I. Nor will there 
come the man that I shall love more than you. Yet we may 
not marry ; that is a matter for you alone to decide. I say this 
because our artificial society makes it possible for individuals 
not to get their choices. Even during my brief existence, I 
have met women who say they did not marry the man they 
loved best, because these men did not propose. Moreover, 
father tells me that my mother was not his best love, but that 
his choice jilted him and married someone else. 

“When I think of these conditions, I drift at once to 
Milton, who expresses in the lines I shall quote a great truth, 
if we consider them as applying not only to the man but also 
to the woman baffled in love. He says : 

‘For either 

He never shall find out fit mate, but such 
As some misfortune brings him, or mistake: 

Or, whom he wishes most shall seldom gain, 

Thru her perverseness; but shall see her gaind 
By a far worse ; or if she love, withheld 
By parents; or his happiest choice too late 
Shall meet, already linkt and wedlock-bound 
To a fell adversary, his hate or shame ; 

Which infinite calamity shall cause 
To human life, and househould peace confound.' 

“William, light of my life, the barriers to your realization 
vanisht long years ago. And I thot that mine had vanisht, 
but here they are. 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


137 


“During those days you were in college how I cried and 
prayed that you would finish and come back to me. At last 
you did return and I claimed you for my own, then you were 
mine and I was yours. 

“Love, think of the nights of anguish, think of the days 
of weary waiting. Your soul has so mingled with my own, 
that I am yours and you are mine for ever. You may wed 
someone else, but as for me, never. Do as you think best 
for me and for you, but our spirits cannot dwell apart. 

“I am that type of woman that loves one and once. To 
be disappointed in love will cause me unutterable langour ; but, 
William, I will not die. I shall suffer, but I will not die. If 
I should go, you would soon follow; but I must live, my love, 
that you may live. Your work has just begun and you need 
womanly counsel ; for the good of your work, for the good 
of the community, for your own good. Decide this matter 
without delay; I will make any sacrifice for you. You need 
my advice, come, let me give it ; or I shall come to you. 

“Sixteen months ago you intimated that two years from 
that eventful night you would be married. That same night 
Thelma began an intimacy with you which since has forced 
you to take notice. I am extremely frank now, because- 1 feel 
that we should understand each other thoroly. If ill must come 
of this, may it be speedy ! If good, I can wait forever. 

“William, I have tried to be frank and specific. Surely 
you understand me. I do not know what your answer will be, 
but as you love me truly, you will act for the greater happiness 
of us both. True, eight months’ life before you, and as you 
have always kept your work, I know you cannot do less now. 

“Hearts everywhere are beating for their lovers; yours 
is beating and so is mine. Nights and days of anxious waiting, 
for you my heart beats every hour. My hope of ages rests 


138 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


upon you, my childhood dreams I longed to come true. Do 
you not hear me faintly calling, calling to you, heart atuned 
to love; in the distance, can you not hear the call of love? 
Dearest, oh dear ! I am seeking, seeking the one man for me. 
Love, my soul is calmly pleading. Love, you will come to me? 

“Do not deceive yourself. You are my friend, you are 
my all in all ; and I am 

“Yours in the past, the present, and the future, 

Susan.” 

When William had finisht, he started homeward full of 
the emotion Susan had aroused. The curtain seemed to have 
been lifted and he saw what he was and what he hoped to be. 
“I see the way. I will answer,” he thot, “today. Then as soon 
as the wheat harvest is over, I will go to her. She shall wait 
no longer.” 


CHAPTER XV. 


O saw ye bonnie Lesley 
As she gaed o’er the border? 

She’s gane, like Alexander, 

To spread her conquests farther. — Burns 

William, bent on making himself wholly subservient to 
the gladness he had just found hurried onward suffused with 
the glow of the coming achievement. The wild flowers now 
took on a grander aspect, the trees were now brighter than 
ever. The squirrels frolickt with great glee, peculiarly thrilled 
with glee. The birds made soothing harmonies. Would you be- 
lieve all this was a part of him? The sun of splendid happi- 
ness had given him a new birth, for he became aware that with 
this awakening his soul could sleep no more. No more was 
it good for him to be alone. He knew that before the close 
of summer he would marry. There was no other way. 

As he came towards the rear of his garage, he was met 
by one of his helpers who had been seeking him for some time. 
“Rev. Smith,” he said, rejoicing that his effort was now suc- 
cessful, “a lady wants to see you at the house. She wouldn’t 
give her name. She’s been there now more than an hour. Be- 
sides, my madame says she fears she must scold you ; for din- 
ner has been ready almost as long.” 

William wondered who could it be. Was it possible that 
Susan had come anyhow? She had said if he did not come to 
her she would come to him. How would he receive her? He 
would receive her as she deserved. 

“Mr. Brown,” he said, then paused a moment for reflec- 
tion, “tell your wife put on an extra plate; we shall have corn- 

139 


140 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

pany for dinner this afternoon. Just as soon as I brush up 
and wash, I’ll be in. I’m glad I didn’t come from the front/ 

Mr. Brown, proceeded to deliver his message and Wil- 
liam prepared to meet his guest. When he had finisht, he came 
to his parlor in his khaki trousers, and khaki shirt, from the 
neck of which suspended a knitted black tie. This habit to- 
gether with his tan shoes and leather puttees gave him the 
appearance of an American soldier of 1918, Sometimes vis- 
itors upon seeing him thus attired, askt if he was in the serv- 
ice of his Country, meaning of course if he were a soldier. 
He would reply, “Yes. I’ve been in the service of the Coun- 
try all my life; however, I’m not a soldier, tho if necessary, 
F 1 ! fight. I’m not a member of the standing army, but I do 
oelong to the working army, which is to help, according to our 
President’s phrase to make the world safe for dem'ocracy.” 
His dress was always impressive. 

William lost no time in his preparations. As he neared 
the arch leading from the dining room to the parlor, his soul 
felt a yearning. It was trying to burst the bonds of present 
experience to grasp at others more profound. He sought to 
fathom the impassable, to know and yet be not known. Mr. 
Brown had been unable to describe the visitor with the dis- 
tinctness with which he had pictured others; in such a way as 
to cause William to be fully aware who the person was ; that 
is, if the two had ever met. Why had the gentleman failed 
in this instance? Was it because he did not look fastidiously, 
due to the lady’s being of the common place or to his being 
face to face with such an extraordinary presence as overawed 
him before he could become self-com'posed? How for once 
he wisht the impossible; that intervening doors might vanish 
without ruin, that supernatural sight transcending all clair- 
voyants might serve him at this hour! Then he realized the 
wish was vain, that happiness arises from the natural ; that it 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


141 


is not good always to know what is hid, to know what each 
tomorrow will bring. It would take away all the surprises, 
most of the laughs, and much of the joy of life. 

He was satisfied at last not to know, until he would see 
her face. He took a step forward and paused; in his heart 
there was great rejoicing. The new day had come at last. 
Each thing he toucht seemed spirited with the benevolence 
of an Aladdin genius, so that it would ever now be different 
with a splendor intrinsic and ideal. The brush he used was 
lighter, for with each movement to make himself suited for 
the tete-a-tete, visions arose of home enchanted, of Williams 
and Susans yet to be. He walkt now with better grace, for 
the call of youths unborn was lingering with him; and as he 
moved on, the old world had past away, and he saw a new 
heaven and a new earth. As garments which have long kept 
us company till other fashions seem more worth the while 
eventually pass for the more novel to bring a long awaited 
joy, William left old thots behind, to cling to those which 
Susan had conjured up. His dream of dearness now was tan- 
gible. One goal at least he had reacht at last. 

On other occasions, when visitors had been announced, 
William had had no trepidation ; the coming of strangers was 
entirely a matter of course. They were welcomed, feasted, 
and entertained with the characteristic southern hospitality. 
But he had felt no depth of passion, no unusual desire to see 
his guest. In this instance he had already delayed too long. 
If it were only Susan ! He hoped that it was only she. He 
rusht into the parlor to greet her who had called. He was 
face to face with a woman almost peerless, with a queen of 
beauty and of love, heiress of great princes of Egypt, of a 
people great in every land. He came forward astonisht, he 
bowed as a plumed knight, and with a cheery smile shook 
hands with Thelma. 


142 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


She was the first to speak, for William was too firmly be- 
sieged with amazement and consternation. Thelma under- 
stood in advance that her coming would be a surprise. How 
great this would be of course she did not comprehend. “I’m 
glad to see you, William. How have you been? How are 
you? You have indeed a wonderful establishment here; I 
hope to view it more minutely. As the train flew over the 
trestle just out from Happy Forge, a stranger to me, but a 
friend to you — a Mr. Trundle Hope — askt me if I had seen 
your estate. When I told him I had not, he said that I was just 
where I could obtain a fine view of it, if I only had a field 
glass. When I produced one, he took great pride in indicating 
and explaining the various parts of your land of heart’s de- 
sire. Would you believe me if I told you I saw a group of 
white and colored men in the north western section of your 
farm, but their features were not plainly distinguishable.” 

William was glad that she had some idea of the place, be- 
cause he could pass over many details and dwell upon the as- 
pects of chief interest. He continued silent. As a conse- 
quence, Thelma went on, “That view of course since it was 
largely panoramic, was seen from too great a distance to re- 
veal some features which should leave with me a kaleidoscopic 
impression. In this I need have no doubt, you will place every- 
thing at my disposal. You will want me to speak to your 
friends in Williamsburg with authority; for they are desirous 
of all they can learn of you.” 

“Yes, my whole farm shall be at your disposal,” said 
William, now gaining his equipoise. “I’m glad you’ve come 
and hope you will not regret having called upon the humblest 
worker of these parts. But,” he gave great emphasis to the 
word, “you have come alone. Why didn’t some of the others 
come also. The more the merrier our party would be. It 
seems that Susan would have been good company.” He hesi- 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


143 


tated before pronouncing Susan’s name, then uttered it with 
noticeable feeling. Thelma was not daunted by this outburst; 
she had planned well and was consequently ready for all sur- 
prises. 

With wonted frankness she said, “Susan, I’m sure, didn’t 
know I was coming.” He thot of Susan’s statements con- 
cerning his fair caller, of the letter which had given him a 
new birth. At once he discerned that another battle was on. 
“To those who were eager to come I said nothing. I wanted 
to see you alone,” she admitted. William now saw that Susan 
divined aright. Was not Thelma’s last utterance an avowal 
of love? When a woman tells a man she wants to see him 
alone, or if the man has so told the woman, is it not because 
of something admired, is it not because of love? Thelma con- 
tinued by saying, “Rev. Ross, mother and Mrs. Anderson 
suggested getting up a party; but that would have required 
probably several days. As I was in the spirit of coming, I 
would not wait. I might have told Susan, but thinking I should 
not, I have comie alone.” 

William found himself at once in a quandary as to what 
could be the purport of her excursion. He listened almost 
breathlessly, for as^she spoke, his thots went back to Williams- 
burg, where clustered in romantic musing and temporarily re- 
signed satisfaction was one who had come out of Dreamland, 
Fairyland, or Eldorado to make a conquest of his heart. Could 
there yet come another? 

As he wanted Thelma to relish her visit, he checkt that 
flow of thots and askt if she had brought baggage and whether 
it had been properly cared for. “I brought simply a bag with 
me,” was her response, “which I left with Mrs. Johnson, in 
town. She says that you have helped her much by sending 
to her visitors to spend the night or to remain several days. 
I was referred to her by the secretary of the Y. W. C. A., as 


144 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

the rooms there had all been taken. As she is both winsome 
and congenial, I have no doubt that we 11 become bosom 
friends. Besides, she commends you highly.” 

“Mrs. Johnson is one of my dearest friends. I m glad 
you’re well situated. Now I can be composed. Come have 
some dinner,” he said incoherently, extending towards her 
his hand with a gentle bow. “I’m sure you must be hungry, 
since you arrived this morning at ten o’clock. Your subse- 
quent time must have been given to adjusting your affairs. 
But how long do you plan to be here?” 

“I don’t know,” was her quick response. They started 
tor the dining room absorbed in several big ideas. “I may go 
back tonight or tomorrow, or I may remain several days. All 
depends upon how much I can accomplish.” 

William found himself once more wondering what she 
could have in mind. 

They sat down to a well spread table, as only one is 
spread where there is loving and rural abundance. Both were 
thrilled with the opportunity to enjoy a good repast and showed 
such by hearty application. While thus engaged she thot she 
would make an excellent first impression by showing a deep 
interest in the work he dearly loved. She was testing this 
philosophy — to be sure it was some of her own — for a woman 
to win the affection of man she would profit by being deeply 
interested in those activities which interested him. She might 
have in some instances different views, but his interests needed 
to become her interests. Thus she knew definitely where to 
begin. “William,” she said, commencing the conversation, 
“The very fact that I have come this distance alone, despite 
thunders of criticism, indicates that we have at least something 
in common, namely, the success of your experiment here. I 
have frequently heard from afar that you are engaged in a 
great work. Well, that’s nothing new to me; for thru all 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


145 


these years I’ve known you, so far as my intelligence permits 
me to observe, a great work has alone been able to attract 
you.” Somewhat abasht, he thankt her for her compliment. 
“True I’ve heard something from others, but should like to 
know at first hand from you, what is the nature and scope of 
your endeavor. You know that during vacation I devote prac- 
tically all my time to community work. My specialty is to 
reach the girl who has fallen; yet I give some time to other 
girls and even to boys. Since you yourself are naturally mag- 
netic and radiate inspiration, I am here to catch even the 
faintest gleams of incentive and carry them to persons almost 
devoid of hope. Tell me, therefore, what you are doing and 
what is the ultimate attainment you have in mind.” 

“I am engaged in an experiment, Thelma, which I feel 
should succeed ; yet I can not be too certain, tho I may realize 
many great accomplishments. Ordinarily, when men engage 
in experimentation, they have their equipment so well under 
control, that a large amount of success is rather sure. I am 
speaking of course of the best scientists. Mine, however, is 
an experiment in democracy; I am trying to convert the pre- 
judice against races into an hostility against particular indi- 
viduals, who wilfully neglect to make the best of oppor- 
tunities and who expect to reap tho they have not sown; to 
see to it that he who sows shall reap ; to place in public office 
the man who is most efficient and unselfish ; to give every man 
an equal chance to rise, no matter whence he comes or what 
he has been.” 

At this point Mrs. Brown seated herself as would a proud 
hostess, to eat with them until all were ready for dessert. 
William introduced Thelma to Mrs. Brown, in order that all 
might participate in informing not only his guest, but, as lie 
said, their guest. Mrs. Brown sometimes would join in, also 


146 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

her husband ; on this occasion, however she preferred to listen 
and not to speak. 

“William, you have indeed a great task before you, one 
which may require many generations for its completion. It is 
more than a life work.” 

“That’s true. Still we may be able to speed it on its way.” 

“But you have located here in the South amidst a people, 
committed not to democracy but aristocracy, an ideal which 
has been with this section since the importation of the first 
slaves, probably even earlier. Here prejudice goes rampant; 
true a few of our people vote, but the many are shamefully 
disfranchised, while white men more ignorant than they go 
to the polls. Here you are faced with the so called Jim Crow 
cars on railroads and street car lines; partial courts; and fre- 
quent manifest humiliation.” She wanted him to feel the big- 
ness of his undertaking. 

“Thelma,” he said with assurance, “I feel the weight of 
all you spoke. But do you think I can find democracy any- 
where in these United States?” She shook her head. “You’re 
a graduate of one of our best northern universities. Tell me 
if you found democracy there.” 

“Tho I went shoulder to shoulder with the first in my 
class, not for once during my entire stay did I feel that I was 
not colored. 

“Of course my effort here is more strenuous than it would 
be in Pennsylvania or New York; but if the proper relations 
can be realized in the South between black and white, the bat- 
tle, practically speaking, will have been won.” 

“You’re not doing this alone tho, are you?” Thelma in- 
quired with a dainty smile. 

“No, not now. I have five croppers to aid me, aside from 
the co-operation of three white farmers who specialize in to- 
bacco. Then there are others who have aided me by mention- 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


147 


ing my endeavor in their addresses before white audiences. 
Especially has this been true of editors and ministers.” 

“Give me some idea of an instance wherein you have done 
something to break down prejudice,” she implored wanting 
to be satisfied. 

“In this country,” he began firmly, “for about five years 
farmers believed it unprofitable to grow white potatoes and 
onions for the market. They never ceast to grow them for 
their tables, but had left off producing them for sale. 

“Seeing that the soil in this country was particularly 
adapted to the growing of these two vegetables, I thot the 
failure to hit was due to the preparation of the soil. Accord- 
ingly I askt Mr. Brown, who had planned to grow only toma- 
toes, to plant onions and potatoes instead. He was reluctant 
because he is a specialist in tomatoes, but I gave him a guaran- 
tee of four thousand dollars, the amount he expected to real- 
ize from his tomatoes. In addition to this I had him put in 
an acre for each of these crops at the demonstration farm. I 
told some farmers what we were doing and askt them to visit 
us, when we could show the plants, the cultivation, and results. 
We invited both white and black. When the season closed, 
we had attained signal success. 

“In the same way, I suggested to my other croppers what 
they should make their staple crops. Since our products be- 
came preferred because of lusciousness, texture, marketing 
and storing qualities, demands have arisen thruout the state 
for the privilege of attending our demonstrations and obtaining 
suggestions as to the most economical way of producing a 
quality, maximum yield.” 

Thelma wanted to see him thru, but as she was speedily 
brot to an appreciation of the magnitude of his work, she felt 
compelled to interrupt. “You know, William,” she said with 
interest, “achievement is not unaccompanied by other things. 


148 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


We must pay the price of success. Some, I doubt not, envy 
you, and by your own words, many already seek to learn of 
you. True you are young and vigorous; but are youth and 
health everything. I fear you may work too hard. I do not 
mean to be inquisitorial, but are you doing all this without 
advice, without well qualified helpers ?” 

Smith was somewhat disconcerted, for he had not been 
greeted hitherto by thots of his own welfare. Now that they 
had been spoken, they brot reflection. This did not last long, 
so he replied, “My croppers are my helpers, particularly Mr. 
Brown, and Mr. Wilson, my specialist in orchard gardening. 
When we decide to launch a movement in the interest of a 
particular crop, we meet in conference, arrange plans and detail 
the work. Thus no one needs to do too much.” 

“But you are the prime mover; besides you are a minister, 
are you not exhausting your strength to the extent that you 
need a counsellor to restrain you?” 

“Nothing worth while, Thelma, is accomplisht without 
much work. As for my being a preacher, you know you and 
Susan both opposed my forsaking my chief calling. I am 
merely keeping my promise. My preaching now is more ef- 
fective than ever, for not only in trying to spur others to get 
a thoro education and achieve, can I point to the success of 
others, but I can indicate very forcibly the attainment of those 
about me. They understand what I mean, when I preach, 
‘The word was made flesh and dwelt among us/ ” 

“I was wondering tho if your sacrifice were not too great. 
Your work instead of obtaining the good-will of the ordinary 
white farmer may merely aggravate the evil you are trying 
to stamp out? Haven’t you really excelled him? Pray tell 
me what white man wants to see a colored man outdo him?” 
Inquired the fair guest. 

“They may not desire it but in many ways they ignore 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


149 


it. They ignore it. They allowed Booker T. Washington to 
outdo them. They allow our boys in college in many instances 
to forge ahead. They just can’t help themselves. If I haven't 
said enough, this I know will suffice; the white man every- 
where allows his dark brother to excell him in unselfishness, 
religion and loyalty.” William protested with firm assurance. 

Thelma responded with her usual complacence. “In this 
you are right, but won’t the southern demagogs, the products 
of color prejudice, or rather to some extent, the makers of 
color prejudice, do you great wrong? Your intentions are 
strictly logical; but are you not trying to alter conditions 
which in themselves are so mighty, that they may ultimately 
engulf you?” 

“That is true,” he admitted, “but wrong must be righted. 
Truth and right must prevail. As the apostle of truth and 
right I’m ever ready to pay the price — even to die. Kelley Mil- 
ler, our great chieftain, a calm thinker, reminds us when we 
would be rash that the pen is mightier than the sword. He 
says that almost invariably it has required shot and shell to 
knock wrong doctrine out of the heads of some white men, as 
is instanced by most of the wars of history. At last has ap- 
peared a lover of peace, the colored man in America, a man 
who can fight, but a lover of peace, devoted to peace after 
‘principles purely pacific.’ The speech of Edmund Burke on 
‘Conciliation’ with the American Colonies, with very slight 
modification is our* plea today. The principles therein em- 
bodied are applicable to all backward and opprest peoples. 
Right never changes. The English colonists stood oppression 
for a hundred and fifty years and gained their political free- 
dom by the sword, and not by the pen. We hope that what 
Kelley Miller informs us has been true thru the ages, will not 
be true in our realizing liberty. We’ve already shed blood 
for the liberty of others. May that also suffice for our own ! 


150 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

“But man was born to die. So I have no fear. Socrates 
could die for a cause; so could Cicero, Julius Caeser, Abraham 
Lincoln, and our boys at Houston, Texas; and even Christ. 
More than this, I know I have the courage of Christ.” 

Thelma was considerably thrilled by William’s frank out- 
pouring of his feelings for she knew that he had uttered the 
sentiments of his people, East, West, North, and South. She 
herself was an individual desirous of a greater emancipation. 
Accordingly she sympathized with him profoundly. 

“Now or never,” he continued, “white and colored must 
come together. As soon as the white man is educated as he 
will be, hoaxes will cease. From the beginning white and black 
have been played against each other. For instance, in ante- 
bellum days, the white man who did not own slaves but com- 
plained of his lot, was played against the colored man by the 
planter’s saying, ‘You’re always complaining, tho you forget 
that you’re free. You’re better off than the nigger.’ Then the 
colored man was played against the poorer white by the 
planter’s saying, ‘You niggers grumble because you’re not 
free, but look at my neighbors who are free. They’re just poor 
white trash. You’re certainly better off than they because you 
are always sure of your meals.’ ’’ 

“Yes that condition continues even now,” said Thelma, 
who was well informed of conditions in present day society. 
“Today that old idea occurs between capital and labor. The 
capitalists plays the white laborer against the colored laborer. 
Not until the white man takes the colored man into his unions 
will he be able to get the proper wage. He can not see if 
all laboring men were to strike simultaneously, white and 
black, that the capitalists would be compelled to yield. But 
thru some peculiar hocus-pocus of color prejudice he cuts off 
his nose to spite his face. He wants all for himself and none 
for the colored man; but such can not be. And when these 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOTH, 


151 


( two groups do come together, we can look for a new order of 
, things.” 

“At first,” put in William, “we seemed to differ. But 
aren’t we on the same vantage ground? I admit that the work 
*is strenuous, and at times perilous. Yet it is a work that must 
be done. The barrier must be removed, for it prevents our 
national life. It has made our justices, our morality, and even 
our education one-sided. Everything is out of joint. When I 
.think of it, I lose patience. This game of politicians and 
I fanatics must cease.” At this point William felt that he had 
been thinking too much of his own problems, having done 
hers scant courtesy, consequently he turned to her and began, 
“Thelma, now that you know the plan of my work, let us 
turn to Williamsburg. To be sure I obtain the newspapers 
of that grand, old town; yet there is much they fail to men- 
tion of a strictly personal nature, that you can disclose. Tell 
me all the news, tell me about all my friends, about yourself 
— anything and everything.” 

Thelma w r as not surprised at this turn the conversation 
took; the fact is she had expected it. She congratulated her- 
self tho on having been able to restrain the outburst until 
this time. Her purpose was to have him- make a complete 
revelation of what he aimed to do, in order that the activity 
which absorbed his life might also absorb hers, thus they 
would have much in common. This realized, her task could 
no longer be desperate, for she would have made a way to 
his heart. Yet another device offered some gladness, strongly 
prophetic of success. She might win him thru his mother. 
This was her chance for another mutual interest. Since he 
was indeed fond of Mrs. Smith, by far more devoted to her 
than most men are to their mothers, Thelma was happy to 
say most of this venerable lady while discussing Williams- 
burg. “Nothing unusual has occurred, William; you know 


152 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

it is too hot for receptions. Pilgrim, however is planning an 
excursion to Seaton for the express purpose of allowing the 
members to see just what they have inspired. They have never 
forsaken you. You are theirs now even as you were years 
ago. When the convention closed its pulpits to you, Pilgrim 
continued to say, ‘Come,’ as you will recall. They did not 
understand all you said; but they trusted in your sincerity. 
They love you, because you always loved them/’ 

"If they had forsaken me, I should not have disliked 
them; for I knew some of my utterances shockt them. Now 
that they have been so liberal, as not to allow the old love to 
cease, I cherish them all the more. I shall be happy to place 
my farm at their disposal. 

“But how is my mother? I wish she would come here, 
yet I appreciate her reasons for remaining where she is. Well 
do I remember after that eventful convention. I myself was 
so enrapt with the past that I preferred to linger there. How 
I wisht to stay ! Yet I had to leave, an important work awaited 
me. I had to rise unto my place.” By this time they had 
finisht their dessert ; so William escorted her to the parlor. 
She was well imprest with her experiences and was confident 
that her trip was not in vain. 

Once she started to mention William’s mother, but be- 
lieving that her end would be better served if he suggested 
the theme, she waited until he had given her the cue. Then 
she said, “Your mother is quite well. I suppose you’re 
unaware that I go to see her almost as to a shrine. I go so 
frequently. I went just before coming here, as I wanted to 
come fresh with news of her. She had thot for some time of 
visiting you, but learning of the plans at Pilgrim, she thot she’d 
wait for Mrs. Green. Isn’t it remarkable how your mother 
seems to take no account of time? She might easily pass 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


153 


for an elder sister, yet her life has been strenuous to aid 
you in realizing your chief aims.” 

“I have much to prize in her, for tho she would have pre- 
ferred my settling in Williamsburg, she was broad enough 
to see that like a prophet of old, I had to seek honor in a dis- 
tant country. I have been unable to bring her here; yet if 
my success depended upon her presence in Seaton, she would 
have been here long ago.” Thelma had not erred in her judg- 
ment ; for the tie between mother and son was unusually strong. 

To make a master stroke and prepare for subsequent ef- 
fort, she would become personal. She had to gain time, or as 
some would put it, she had to make up for lost time. No let- 
ters had passed between her and William. Never had they 
met alone except to pass the conventional greeting. This was 
their first tete-a-tete. Thelma planned that this should not 
be their last. Furthermore, she intended to write. Whether 
he would answer was not the question, but she must somehow 
thrill his soul. Since she knew William had commended 
her with an admiration which might involve great promise, 
she was always optimistic. She could not, however, construe 
it as the love that makes man and woman one. There was 
Susan, whom she knew William loved. She also knew that 
his calls had recently been markt by long intervals, a sign 
of the estoppage of love. But as she had ceased regularly 
to call on Susan, she felt sure that Susan suspected her. Or- 
dinarily Susan would wait. It was her temperament. Would 
she wait now? Thelma was afraid to take any risk. She said 
therefore, “Certainly you miss your mother and probably 
others who have cheered you much.” 

“Yes,” he replied, “I do miss them, so much, that I re- 
joice when anyone comes from those parts.” 

“For sometime that has been my belief,” she affirmed, 
looking at him bashfully and then lowering her head. “It 


154 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


seems your work, tho well organized, needs one other helper.” 

“And, pray what is he to do?” 

“To give you constant counsel, to keep you from work- 
ing too hard. A great man needs a wife. Tve wondered why 
you’ve waited so long. I can say this because when we were 
quite young, we said whatever we pleased to each other; but 
when you stept into manhood and I into womanhood, Susan 
came between. Since then we have kept apart. I have said 
this reluctantly, but I am speaking only for your good.” She 
knew she was playing with fire. 

“Thelma, I have been thinking of it and have about reacht 
a decision. I have not, I fear, dealt fairly with Susan; but 
I will do so now. By the way, let me show you the farm, 
Brown is coming with the auto. I will tell you more of what 
you suggested as we go over the farm.” William had spoken 
before he was fully aware of the significance of his words. 
The idea came to him that Thelma might be interpreting his 
remarks for her own contentment. Should he speak freely? 
Certainly it was best for her to know. Susan had hinted that 
Thelma was her rival. William held both women in high 
esteem and he would have both happy; but he made up his 
mind that rivalry would have to cease. 

At present Thelma was his guest and as such she would 
receive hearty welcome. He helped her into his Chandler 
and started over the estate. “How beautiful it is to have 
such pleasure! I think I must make Seaton my home,” she 
remarkt. 

He replied, “Thelma, Seaton would be glad to have you.” 


CHAPTER XVI. 


My boy stept over the hills, 

A master of the night; 

He seized the morning in his hand, 

And darkness changed to light. 

He met a star that rose 

Out of his brother’s brest, 

It fell upon his rainbow soul 
And hailed him to a quest. 

He lookt where giants claimed 
The mastery of the world, 

Advancement o’er all other folk; 

With glories e’er unfurled. 

They marched to conquer love, 

And sink it with the night, 

But tumbling with this hate 

They died, eclipsed by light. 

My boy stept o’er the hills, 

Awakened by the cry, 

“The veil is lifting with the star. 

Who scorns but waits to die.” 

Thelma and William were kindred spirits. Born anew 
this day with visions bright, they sailed on and on. For a time 
they said nothing to each other, because there were elfish voices 
skipping thru the air that had a language lovingly their own. 
The breezes, pure and serene, told of journeys over seas to 
distant lands, where God’s folk, just rising unto place, wisht 
civilization would embrace the world. The laughing birds 
scouting on wing suggested the nobility of companionship. 
Yet they had their foes. Many perisht each winter. Some 
hastening on the return of spring, were stopt by the bullet of 


155 


156 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

civilized barbarism. For all this, they could not help singing 
the gladness of the time. To fashion a Dvorakain symphony 
like unto that of “The New World,” the trees joined in with 
measured bows, gracefully gesticulating to the strains re- 
sounding full and free. 

What need of speech, when all else was talking; the whis- 
pering birds, the lowing cows, the bleating lambs, the capri- 
cious calf, the prancing horse ? For quite a long while Thelma 
and William could only be silent. But their souls were not 
quiet at all. Great idealists like them could not be near and 
at the same time distant. The glance of an energetic eye, a 
dynamic expression of profound interest and astonishment, 
and the understanding of a purposive personality conjured 
up avenues of communications inexpressible in song or speech. 
Each thus soared in imagination, surmising the beautiful in 
the other, dreaming of the grandeur of being together, making 
noble the common place. 

They stopt at all buildings, for this was the courtesy shown 
all visitors. Tho there was the temptation to be personal and 
use the time for intercourse touching the crystalline experi- 
ences of childhood and youth. William thot of the reason why 
Thelma had come. Her trip should realize that end. With 
this in mind, he showed her the cosy homes of his croppers. 

When he had completed the tour, promptly with the world 
before her in panoramic view, she wondered how he could af- 
ford this. His answer was “Capitalism of today is wrong. 
It does not eliminate classes, rather it fixes them. A wage 
earner gets hardly a tenth of the wealth he produces. The 
bulk goes to the enterpreneur. I might within fifteen or 
twenty years easily accumulate a million. But a millionaire 
is an anachronism in a democracy. I am striving to give the 
worker all he produces, at the same time to keep a minimum 
for my counsel and guidance. Thus I never have any trou- 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 157 

ble getting workers. Furthermore, I run my farm on the 
eight-hour plan except 'during seed time and harvest, when 
we go far beyond this. During these seasons the laborers 
are given double pay for all extra time.” 

“I’ve been thinking that you’re making trouble for your- 
self. How do neighboring farmers take this?” Thelma ques- 
tioned, rejoicing that she had come alone. 

“They are rather complaisant. They’ve come to regard 
my estate as a university of these parts, a sort of rendez-vous 
for the inspiration of progressive methods in farming. My 
ambition is primarily not to make money, but to show others 
how. Consequently I am no competitor to arouse their envy. 
My position is that we must not pull apart, but strive together. 
As an example, I go as readily to aid a white farmer as I do 
to aid a black one. Besides both black and white frequent my 
place, probably the whites more than my own people. The im- 
mortal words of Mrs. Dickinson in her “Assault on Fort Wag- 
ner” are my inspiration. She says, “Black and white were 
buried together, black and white in a common grave. Let 
liberty see to it then that black and white are raised together 
in a life better than the old.” 

Thelma, thru whom spoke generations crying to be born, 
stood like a stature, firm and still. She was thinking of what 
she could do to help bring together two peoples equally mis- 
understood. She took a dainty memorandum, and jotted 
down a gem. Looking away from a cottage to the West, she 
discovered a beautiful knoll. She moved in its direction and 
William followed almost automatically. “Come,” she said 
with her voice as magic as the chimes of Christmas morning, 
“come I want to recite a poem which I recently composed.” 

Fie listened attentively while she read the following idyl: 


158 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


O cabin dear, 

Dost thou not hear 
Her faltering voice? 

Thy gloried choice 

’Twas once. Dost not remember well 

How sweetly to her songs we fell? 

A mother fair, 

O’erwhelmed with care, 

Tript to the field 
A hoe to wield, 

The buried treasure there to reap, 

Her babe forsaken, fast asleep. 

The fleeting wind 
Oft too unkind, 

Takes holiday 
To sport and play. 

Refreshing greetings, sweet and long, 

It fashions in a cradle song. 

While baby sleeps, 

The mother keeps 
Beside her mate 
Early or late. 

To bid their poverty goodbye, 

The two must slave, or fall and die. 

When the weary sun, 

Blushing for fun, 

Shoots from the view 
And bids adieu, 

That evening shades might fall 
And sport in the slumbering hall; 

The mother stands 
With welcome hands 
At the cabin door, 

Love’s shower to pour 

On him who unseen trophies brings, 

Her lord, her saint, her king of kings. 

The tattered shirt 

With honorable dirt 

And sweat, ne’er stains 

The soul that rains 

A flood of twilight, mirth and joy, 

That hearts unchain and griefs "destroy. 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


159 


“Come, come, my boy, 

Naught can annoy : 

The white man’s hate 
Or a curse of fate,” 

She said, with loving arms entwined, 

To bring a star to his troubled mind. 

“Our souls run true, 

Our lives renew ; 

God makes the strife ; 

God crowns the life. 

Tho riches’ gulf we may not span. 

Our babe shall pass, for he’s a man. 

“Come to your meat, 

My noble sweet, 

The day is done 
And joy begun. 

As heaven and earth are blithe and true, 

You live in me and I in you.” 

“I’ll work for a song, 

I’ll suffer wrong, 

But where’er I be, 

My spirit’s free ; 

The darkest hours are filled with light, 

The stars e’er shine tho out of sight. 

“With you as bliss, 

I naught can miss. 

Our rising race, 

Has set the pace. 

Love, flowers are gay and skies are blue, 

You live in me and I in you.’* 

“Thelma/’ William began just as soon as she had finisht, 
“I like your poem. Yet in a way it comes as a surprise ; for 
I’ve been under the impression that you’re so fully occupied 
with public service, that you had no time for the Muses.’’ 

She smiled and whispered sweetly, to be the more en- 
trancing, “I have to continue scribbling to finish my appren- 
ticeship. I hope some day to sing the deeds of the sage of 
Seaton. Would you like that?” 

“To be sure, it would be par excellence,” he jested merrily. 


160 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


Thelma moved somewhat closer to him, lookt away a 
moment, then lookt toward him and smiled. To be mis- 
chievous, she artfully took his hand and speedily let it go. 
That was long enough, too long ; for in the instant Seaton had 
vanisht for the land of pure delight, for the joyous trembling 
of mate for mate, for the rapid heart-beat that hurries us to 
love, for the thrills that herald the approach of heaven. Wil- 
liam wanted to retain her hand, to hold her against his heav- 
ing bosom to assuage the tempest there. His hands moved in- 
voluntarily towards her, and as he glanced, her lips quivered 
with soft emotion, her eyes spoke depths of love. Then 
smiling with the radiance of happy sunlight, she called in plead- 
ing tones of dainty melody, “William, William/’ and as if he 
had been naughty sprang from the knoll and answered back, 
“my William.” 

He followed, replying, “Thelma/' — his voice was all en- 
treaty— “Thelma, don’t.” 

Turning towards him, she said, “What do you wish Wil- 
liam?” 

The prophet stood, silent and dismayed. He recalled his 
days of romping with the Thelma of the past, he recalled her 
passing into womanhood, he saw a loving personality. How 
his soul cried out within him! How he longed to break the 
silence! Why could he not clasp her hand and be himself 
again? He moved nearer to her and she towards him, then 
leapt before him Susan’s words, “William, you love me ; and 
tho you may not take me for your wife, there is not born the 
woman who will love you more than I.” 

“Of what are you thinking, William?” laught Thelma 
to end his meditation, but would not wait for an answer. 

1 his is a beautiful retreat. Who could not be happy here? 
1 he birds of paradise have never ceased their ditty since 
here we paused. They sang, *Be dear, my friends.’ And the 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


161 


breeze whispered a pleasing lay, ‘Young people soon grow old !’ 
Besides, yon gay stream purled along saying, ‘I hope to see 
you when I return. At the same time the trees which form an 
admirable screen, lisp, ‘I’ll see that none disturb you.’ Even 
my home companions, the flowers speak; they promise, ‘We 
shall be your garland against a very welcome day.’ ” 

With arms outstretched, he rapidly goes to take her when 
a whistle hoarse with sounding, announces the approach of 
the community threshing machine and the laborers on sur- 
rounding farms. This was followed by a sharp outburst of vig- 
orous singing, faintly first, then loud and louder: 

Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag 
And smile, smile, smile; 

While you’re a lucifer to light your fag, 

Smile, boys, that’s the style. 

What’s the use of worrying? 

It never was worthwhile; 

So pack up your troubles in your old kit bag 
And smile, smile, smile. 

Finally appeared the man and the voice, a young, white 
planter from a neighboring farm. Finding Rev. Smith vis-a- 
vis with a young woman of great charms, he was much em- 
barrassed. To make, however, the best of the untoward cir- 
cumstances, he brusquely began to perform his duty. “My 
name’s Fred,” he spoke. “What’s yours?” 

“Mine’s William. Is there someone you’re trying to 
find?” 

“Yes,” responded the new arrival. “I’m looking for Mr. 
Smith, the elder who owns this farm. I’ve just lately moved 
into this section and have not learned all the folks.” 

“I’m your man,” said Rev. Smith, “and I think I know 
why you’ve come. How soon will Mr. Davis begin thresh- 
ing?" 


162 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


“Within half an hour.” 

“Tell him we'll be on time.” In an instant the planter 
had gone. 

Thelma, because of the dignity he showed, a dignity 
somewhat unusual among rustic people, inquired whether his 
attitude was typical. “He showed no hesitancy in properly 
addressing you. Where we are, white people dislike to call 
a colored person Mister or Miss. That's social equality, you 
know. Furthermore, you must not call them by their first 
names. The gentleman who just left considered us human 
beings like himself.” 

“His attitude is typical, Thelma,*’ was the response. There 
may be the traditional southerner on outlying farms; but on 
this and neighboring plantations and even in the towns, my 
co-workers and I are addrest as we should be by anyone in 
New York City.” He paused a moment, reflected, and then 
continued, “Thelma, come witness a novel sight. I believe 
you have not seen a wheat threshing?” He spoke inquiringly, 
yet in a mood which was almost care-free. 

“No, I have not. I have so much longed to see one. How 
fortunate I am in having come in time for this great occasion ! 
I am almost overjoyed.” Thelma thot of the excellent tete-a- 
tete ended, but decided not to resume it at this time. 

A few moments later they stept into his car and soon 
were on their way to his palatial home. 

After the croppers and their helpers had been notified of 
the appointment, William and Thelma started for Mr. Davis’ 
farm. As they rode along, greeted by fields of swaying corn 
cn either side of tar oiled roads, they noticed men going in 
the same direction with pitch forks on their sturdy shoulders. 
The white workers were talking merrily, the colored were 
either whistling or singing. Then came occasional pranks ac- 
companied with vivacious outbursts of “Oh, boy!” Next, a 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


163 


caper followed a strut accompanied by this merry tune, “Go- 
ing to Halloway with my Amanda Jane.” At once hearty 
peals of laughter all about the salubrious performer rang hap- 
pily. 

Lord and lady soon reacht the designated place and parkt 
at a point from which there was a full view of the coveted 
activity. Whereupon Thelma and William left the car to meet 
a group of women about whom tots were frolicking. After 
being introduced, Thelma made herself a friend of all the 
little folk; and they were trailing behind her to share an en- 
vied caress. The women were happy too, for they noticed 
at once that this urban personality had none of “your city 
airs/' 

Having placed the visitor in good company, William pro- 
ceeded to organize the workers so as to expedite time. He 
himself chose to feed the bundles of wheat to the harvester. 
Daniel Martin, a w'hite farmer, was to take the stand with 
him, cut the bands and hand him the bundles. Andy Clark- 
ston was to receive the grains in the bushel baskets and empty 
them into barrels nearby. Mr. Davis’ laborers were to haul 
the bundles of wheat from the stacks to the harvester. Henry 
and James Mitchell, both white, were to hand the bundles to 
Daniel Martin. All other laborers, white and black, were to 
handle the straw. 

Here was a joyous scene. About sixty people, as many 
black as white, were about to perform a miracle for humanity. 
The field, where once countless blades of wheat stood, now 
showed everywhere a stubborn stubble. This however, was 
no barrier to the urchins who ran wherever they desired, in 
their bare feet. They lookt at the seven large stacks of wheat 
faintly visible in the distance, products of arduous life. Then 
they lookt at the large oil engine panting, ready to make the 
harvester go. Particularly did they eye the long pipe, which 


16! mu IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

they thot would make some melodious sound. One little fel- 
low bolder than the rest moved near to examine this magic 
worker, whereupon Mr. Davis shouted, “Boy !” The lad speed- 
ily took to his heels. 

The colored laborers, who were to dispatch the straw, 
took their places and, as if beginning a ceremony, started to 
sing “The Hoeing of the Corn.” This was followed by 
“Thresh Dat Wheat and Pile Dat Straw, Folks Git Tired of 
Corn Bread.” Such robust strains of matchless harmony filled 
the air and thrilled all hearts, that all were at once exalted. 

The whistle sounded for the task to begin. All were in 
place. The work was on. The harvester was fast, but Rev. 
Smith was faster, also were the other busy folk. Each tried 
to outdo the other, to show himself a man among men. This 
master man, however, could not be found. To get a greater 
inspiration, from time to time, individuals sang to the accom- 
paniment of their own rhythmic souls, such songs as, “Pm 
Going Back to East Colorado” and “One More Time, Eh, 
Lord.” 

At sunset, the toilers ceased and went to the “big house” 
for the evening meal. Having washt, white and black sat 
down to the same tables and all were served at once. Heartily 
did they eat. Joke followed joke, hilarity ran high; most were 
highly pleased. A few of the white, Thelma noticed appeared 
at rare intervals somewhat choleric or disgruntled. Whatever 
their inner thots were, spleen never once was uttered. When 

all had finisht, the guests left for their homes. 

It was not long before a wonderful harmony again arose. 
The men were singing on their way home the following air : 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


165 


Thresh dat wheat and pile dat straw, 

Folks git tired of corn bread. 

Thresh dat wheat and pile dat straw, 

We folks want some white bread. 

Ha ha! Ha ha! Ha ha! Ha ha! 

Ha ha! Ha ha! Ha ha, T Ha ha! 

We’re goin’ home dis ebe’ning! 

When de sun pops in de sky, 

Airs itself and says goodbye, 

We air fightin’ wid de dust, 

Because some must, some must. 

Thresh dat wheat and pile dat straw. 

Folks git tired of corn oread, etc. 

Tho de rich folks laugh, and spend 
All our life blood to de end, 

We can live at least oneday; 

We can be gay, be gay. 

Thresh dat wheat and pile dat straw, 

Folks git tired of cornbread. 

Thresh dat wheat and pile dat straw, 

We folks want some white bread. 

Ha ha ! Ha ha ! Ha ha ! Ha ha ! 

Ha ha ! Ha ha ! Ha ha ! Ha ha ! 

We’re goin’ home dis ebe’ning! 

When the strains ceased to be audible, the heavens were 
veiled with purple twilight. Thelma said, “Can this be a 
dream? Do miracles now occur? What is this but a miracle? 
How did you bring this about ?” 

As he answered he moved towards his car. “I first won 
the confidence of my people. I told them their power when 
acting as a unit; that as they were the laboring force of the 
South they could compel fair treatment. I instructed them 
to refuse as a unit to be employed unless they were regarded 
as human beings. The work you saw done this afternoon 
was given freely. When a man gives his labor, he can not 
afford to take insults. I would not. As soon as this was 
learned, the others followed in my train,” William spoke with 


166 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


great earnestness. He had by the time he finisht come to his 
automobile. 

When they were seated, Thelma said, “Indeed this is 
truly wonderful. I came here liking this vicinity, but now 
I adore it. How long do you think the bliss can last?” 

The prompt response was, “Forever.” 


Chapter XVII. 

Do not, as some ungracious pastors do, 

Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven; 

Whilst, like a puffed and reckless libertine, 

Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads, 

And recks not his own rede. 

* * * * * * * 

This above all : to thine own self be true, 

And it must follow, as the night the day, 

Thou canst not then be false to any man. 

— Shakespeare 

When Thelma reacht Williamsburg and found no one at 
her home, she left her bag where her mother might readily 
see it and thereby know of her daughter’s return. Attacht 
to it, she left a note, saying that she planned to make several 
calls, after which she would be at home for the evening. 

She first saw Rev. Ross and told him of her trip in great 
detail. He was deeply imprest. Before she left, he told 
her that the party of which he had previously spoken would 
make an excursion to Seaton on the following day. Would 
she go? No! She preferred to go later. She called next on 
William’s mother, then several other dear acquaintances; but 
she consciously avoided Susan Lee. 

This done, she returned home amidst a shower of her 
mother’s tender embraces. For quite a while, Thelma spoke 
of Seaton and William, then of William and Seaton. Mrs. 
Haskell interrupted with this remark, “My child, come, have 
some supper. Surely you are hungry.” 

“Mother, I’m not in the least,” she said with great fervor. 
“I’m so full, that I just must talk. I have room for nothing 
else.” 

“Now I know what has occurred. You’re in love with 

167 


168 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


William Smith. What will Susan say? I see why you have 
not been close friends recently. Until a few weeks ago one 
could hardly turn for the other.” 

She spoke pointedly, as she was disillusioned. “You have 
been friends from infancy, but now — ” 

“Mother, I’m so hungry.” 

Mrs. Haskell laught. “How has it come so suddenly as 
this?” 

“I didn't feel thus a while ago; I do really crave some- 
thing now/’ Thelma pleaded. 

“Is it bread or is it William ?” her mother taunted. 

“Mother, mother, mother!” she laught. “Please let me 
have some supper.” 

After a few exertions, Thelma sat down to an appetizing 
meal and attackt it vigorously. How vehemently she tried to 
dispel all thots of Seaton! Yet they ‘would not down/ Mrs. 
Haskell permitted her to eat without interruption. Then when 
Thelma had finisht, she brot a letter which had been there 
for several days. 

“A letter from President Harper at this time — what an 
unusual circumstance ! He has never written me during vaca- 
tion until the early part of September. Why this letter now?” 
she mused. Without more ado, she opened it and read thus : 

My dear Miss Haskell : 

The members of our trustee board waited upon me several 
days ago and discussed your visit to Seaton. They feel that, 
tho in all matters pertaining to Sojourner Truth College and 
the community you have acted with tact and great discretion, 
in this instance you have been most unwise and rashly im- 
petuous. When I was importuned by our worthy officials, 
you had already been in Seaton ten days, during which time 
your name had become a synonym of evil suggestion. 

Not only have the trustees opposed you, but petitions con- 
taining the names of fifteen hundred patrons have askt for 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 169 

your removal, stating that your continuing on the Faculty 
would lead them to send their children elsewhere. The public 
is one in saying that your attitude is the expression of ideals 
that they wish their children not to acquire. 

It is quite a calamity that our dean of girls has brot this 
odiurn upon her. For parents and girls both loved you well. 

Yet I am constrained to ask that you tender your resigna- 
tion. I know that many girls will not return, because your 
great affection made you a part of them. Since my con- 
stituency, however, demands this, I act. 

Yours sincerely, 

Thomas Harper. 

“Mother,” began Thelma, as soon as she had finisht, 
“President Harper has written me a very entertaining letter. 
Read it.” 

Mrs. Haskell eagerly began to peruse it, but w f hen she 
had come to the end of the first paragraph, she frowned and 
said, “Thelma.” 

“Read it thru first and then put me on the w r rack,” the 
daughter spoke as if in jest. 

When Mrs. Haskell had concluded, she remained silent 
for a while and then said, “You’ve just made a perfect mess 
of it. My premonitions pointed to something disastrous. Now 
the catastrophe is at hand. Thelma, why have you done this ?” 
She sat down in anguish, then tears began to flow. “I cau- 
tioned you concerning this, yet you would go. I know you’ve 
done no wrong; but I dislike the ill feeling and unpopularity 
you have brot upon yourself.” 

The daughter lovingly embraced the mother and attempted 
to console her with these words, “ ‘As a man thinketh in his 
heart, so is he.’ It is not what people think of me that is of 
prime importance, but what I think of myself, what I am, what 
I know I am. Many who walk and flaunt themselves angels 
of mercy are veritable devils infernal. I try to let my life 


170 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


be as a book where all may read. I am truly myself. Out- 
worn creeds and customs have no power over me. In my life 
I smash them all. I’d rather be myself than ape the powers 
that be! I’d rather be a beggar than crush the soul within 
me ! Why have I done this ? It was my desire. I did it, be- 
cause I am a woman. I did it, because woman must be as free 
as man. I did it because neither heaven nor hell shall keep 
me from the man I love.” 

“Thelma, dear,” the mother pleaded, “be calm. I believe 
in you, but I would not have you suffer. I fear that you’ll 
have now few companions ; that you’ll be very lonely.” 

“Mother, do you realize that it’s possible to be lonely 
in a crowd? This was often true of Christ. Similarly it’s 
possible to be by one’s self and yet have ample company. In 
attending some of the receptions of Williamsburg and con- 
versing with some of its so-called ‘best people,’ I’ve found 
them so empty, that I felt as if I were in a desert, plodding 
forlornly. These people don’t think, they pay others to do 
their thinking for them. They scorn me now, but soon 
they’ll give me tender embraces. As for the women, they’ve 
always murdered one another. Then why should they spare 
me? Notwithstanding this, be undisturbed. I have to depend 
upon no one occupation for my livelihood. I can now give all 
my time to those in the slums. I rejoice to go to those who 
need me,” she spoke with great persuasiveness. Thus the 
mother was won. 

“How can I break the news to your father?” Mrs. Haskell 

askt. 

“Just permit me, mother. You know father and I get on 
very well.” 

“What a relief !” 

“Mother, I see I have much business before me. Help 
me this much, please. While I make ready to go out again — 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


171 


contrary to my former arrangements — do call up President 
Harper and ask if I may have an interview within half an 
hour.” 

Mrs. Haskell proceeded at once to the telephone. A few 
minutes later she returned. To her surprise Thelma was 
writing. “Thelma, President Harper will be expecting you. 
What are you doing now, my child?” she remarkt. 

“I’m writing my resignation, Fm trying to glorify you. 
This night you will be proud of me.” When she had com- 
pleted this, she went upstairs to get her hat and scarf. As 
she stept upon the porch, she said, “Fve had a vision. Fve 
found my place. Have no fear. Goodbye, just for a while.’ 


Chapter XVIII. 

All our friends, perhaps, desire our happiness ; but, then 
it must invariably be in their own way. What a pity that 
they do not employ the same zeal in making us happy IN 
OURS ! — Lytton 

President Harper, a man of forty-five, a giant in bronze, 
with a bearing which at once commanded attention and re- 
spect, was seated this luxurious evening in his simple but allur- 
ing study. It was a room of about ten square feet with two 
modestly curtained windows that afforded ample light. Resting 
irresistibly in the center on a rug of beautiful but plain design 
was a mahogany table supporting a vase of red roses. In 
one corner was a couch loaded with historical pillows, a 
veritable summons to sit, inquire, and love. In the opposite 
corner was a case of books, to transport one to many storied 
lands. In the corner which would last be seen upon entering, 
was a rolling-top desk. Before this, making an excellent ap- 
pearance, was a commodious, revolving chair. Here and there, 
yet well placed, were several chairs for visitors. This study 
with all its suggestiveness did not suit Mrs. Harper, until it 
furnisht the biography of the spirit that staid there longest, 
by athletic pictures and pennants of the schools that had in- 
spired. So carefully had the furnishings been selected that 
to enter was to become a prey to the temptation to scrutinize 
every detail, to stand captivated. How attractive, how be- 
witching it all was! 

At seven-thirty, the bell rang. The distinguisht educator 
who had been in his study for an hour, put aside his book 
and went to the head of the steps to greet Thelma. To his 
surprise, he did not meet the lady, but shook hands with Mr. 
172 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


173 


Charles Tucker, president of the Board of Trustees. “Mr. 
Tucker,” he said, “I’m happy to see you. How have you been 
since last we met?” 

“First rate, Dr. Harper, first rate. Your pleasing coun- 
tenance tells me at once that all has gone well with you.” 

“Not quite all, but I've been feeling fine.” He moved a 
chair near the table and askt his guest to be seated. Then 
he himself sat in the revolving chair, with his back towards 
his desk, but his face towards his visitor. 

Mr. Tucker, to whom long years in heading a construc- 
tion company had made abstemious about the use of every 
minute, lost no time in stating his business, once greetings had 
been exchange. “Dr. Harper,” he began pleasantly but serious- 
ly, “Have you as yet decided upon your new dean of girls?” 

“No, not yet. A matter of such moment as this needs 
much reflection; and not even one week has past since you 
took action.” 

“I was thinking that Miss Kelley at the Nathaniel Turner 
Industrial School would be most satisfactory.” 

“Since I do not know her very intimately and since it 
is my duty to recommend, have her present her credentials 
and call to see me. I was hoping that we might do something 
to reinstate Miss Haskell. You are well aware that she is 
the best teacher that has ever entered the walls of Sojourner 
Truth College. Her spirit strongly reflects that of the great 
leader, after whom our school is named. I believe if our 
people were educated to this conception, they would make of 
our staunch citizen not a reproach but a providential satisfac- 
tion. I meant to leave within a few days for Buenos Ayres. 
If, however, you and your colleagues, will at least reconsider 
your action, I will forego my vacation and conduct the cam- 
paign for Miss Haskell’s continuing with us.” 

“Dr. Harper, that is unthinkable. Once I’ve put my hands 
to the plow, I never turn back.” 


174 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OP HIS SOUL 

“Mr. Tucker, you are a business man,” remarkt the 
educator. “Being such you have not never modified your 
plans and policies. Many an undertaking you have estimated 
at a particular price, only later to go over the whole account 
again and make your bid at a different figure. Besides, in 
doing so you know you have been wise. If the furrow was 
crooked, you turned back and made it straight. Why not do 
so now?” 

“A woman who would so lower herself as has Miss Has- 
kell, deserves no consideration,” he replied irritably. 

“My dear sir,” said President Harper, with his eye well 
alert to the inconsistencies of modern society, “you are a 
deacon in one of our most progressive churches, a church 
whose business is the salvation of the people. Accordingly, 
after your faith in Christianity, if Miss Haskel has erred, you 
must consider her. If she has sinned, you must help save her. 
Does the attitude you and your colleagues have taken tend to 
save her or ruin her?” 

Growing impatient, Mr. Tucker rose to go and said, “Let 
her come to church and there be saved. But what about the 
salvation of the young who would come under her instruction ? 
It is better that one should suffer than many.” 

At this point the bell rang again. “Be seated just a 
moment longer, if you please,” spoke Dr. Harper with great 
composure. So inured was he to the choler and phlegm of 
patrons, that Mr. Tucker’s outburst was like a zephyr of 
spring. 

A voice called, “Miss Haskell wishes to see you, papa. 
May she come up now?” 

“Yes, show her up at once.” 

“I must be going, Doctor,” said the trustee who now had 
become uneasy. “I have some other business needing atten- 
tion.” 


175 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

“Doctor Harper spoke for time, and before the conversa- 
tion could end, Thelma greeted the gentlemen good evening. 
Recognizing Mr. Tucker, she sat between him and the door, 
then said to him very affably, “Surely you’re not going to 
let a woman run you away.” 

He frowned and twitcht, “No, I can spare a few minutes. 
I suppose you want to ask me to keep you on the Faculty,” 
he sneered. “Well, say your say — ” 

“Mr. Tucker, don’t insult me,” she uttered with calm 
defiance. “I’ve always respected you. Don’t take me for a 
child, for you will be grievously mistaken. Let the lion within 
me remain asleep. Before I’d ask you to use your influence 
in my behalf for any position, I’d curse God and die.” She 
was very positive. Her voice rang like a silver bell. Turning 
to President Harper that she might change the conversation 
and thereby not lose her temper, she said with her accustomed 
dignity, “Pardon me, Dr. Harper. When I entered your house 
I had no intention of making a scene ; but having been trained 
to defend myself, I had to answer the distinguisht gentleman.” 

“Miss Haskell, no apology is necessary. You were en- 
tirely within your right,” was the educator’s terse remark. 

“Do you still wish me to remain, Miss Haskell?” inquired 
the trustee, partially wishing to remain and partially to leave. 

“Yes, Mr. Tucker, since what I have to say is concerning 
my relation to Truth College, as one of its chief executives 
you should hear me thru,” came forth almost spontaneously. 
Turning more directly to her adversary, she requested good- 
naturedly, “Tell me please why you didn’t dismiss me, but 
preferred to ask me to resign? There was no need for cere- 
mony. Whether I wrote the resignation or not, I could not 
teach at Truth College.” 

“True the request is a formality. Yet we did not want 
to injure your career. Years hence some one desiring to em- 


176 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

ploy you would not consider you, if our records read ‘dis-l! 
missed/ ” Mr. Tucker affirmed, mopping his face with hisi! 
favorite blue, bordered handkerchief. 

“What oddities occur in life!” Thelma ejaculated, pro- 
ducing her resignation from her bag. “You’d cast the unde- 
sirable on others no less desiring her.” 

“Not that at all,” the trustee said, with a grimace, squirm- 
ing almost at every word, “there might be others who’d accept 
you regardless of anything we might say. We’d have to 
acknowledge your efficiency. Still we can not condone your 
recent impudence.” 

“Pardon me, but what was my impudence?” Thelma 
requested. 

“You went to Seaton alone and spent most of your time 
on the estate of Rev. Smith, a man who has not the good 
graces of the minister of Williamsburg, nor of many of the 
people — a visionary, a radical, a fanatic* Hence we believe 
that you are of the same type,” Mr. Tucker resumed now 
with more vivacity. President Harper decided not to inter- 
rupt. 

“A person with original ideas has no place in society?” 

“Those ideas are not to be incompatible with the welfare 
of the majority of the group.” 

“Mr. Tucker, have you ever visited Dr. Smith and sur- 
veyed the work he’s doing? Do you realize that he is bringing 
white and colored together upon terms of increasing familiarity. 
Aren’t you aware that such must be done, if we continue here? 
Can’t you see that to serve God, you must help your fellow- 
man?” Thelma broached him fervently, for she now had 
no need of diplomacy, but only for straight forward thrusts. 

“No, I haven’t been there and do not wish to go. I’ve 
heard enough of it to keep me away.” The trustee was very 
impatient and unreasonable. 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


177 


“You let your prejudice get the better of you, and con- 
demn a cause of which you are ignorant. You are just like 
most white people in this country. They see the Negro 
only from a great distance, most of them never meeting our 
best; yet they assume most intimate knowledge.” 

“That’s neither here nor there. To be brief, Rev. Smith’s 
ideas, which unfortunately have seized you too, are not wel- 
come here. Furthermore, you went contrary to the advice of 
your pastor. As dean of our girls, you were to them a model. 
Your life we regarded as the tangible ideal which our girls 
should achieve. Since you’ve ceased to be that, your place is 
naturally elsewhere. Aren’t you quite different from most of 
our women?” Mr. Tucker spoke rapidly, desiring the matter 
soon to end. Yet in doing so he was somewhat brusque. 

“Yes, I’m different from many of the women of this 
town. I’ve tried all my life so to be. If I’m regarded as 
being of another variety, my labor has not been in vain,” she 
admitted with meek sedateness. “Mr. Tucker, I’m always 
changing. If you meet me tomorrow, you will not meet the 
woman of today. Thus I’ve taught these girls to be ; not fos- 
sils, not models for such are merely samples; not ornaments 
for ages the same, but plastic creatures ever fresh and new 
with a grandeur unique, that will not only attract men, but 
make even women pay them adoration. I should have them so 
moulded that their spirits would never grow old, that even 
after they marry they might always show their husbands new 
charms, something in them for further conquest. Once a hus- 
band knows his wife thoroly, he is likely to seek another 
woman who can entertain him. A wife needs to be very re- 
sourceful. She should always have a surprise.” 

The trustee became exceedingly interested in her train of 
thot. However, as he did not wish her to know to what extent, 
lie turned his face somewhat, lest she would observe the emo- 
tion. 


178 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

At this gesture, which Thelma interpreted as an effort 
for reflection, she renewed her remarks with Dr. Harper. 
“When I finisht reading your letter,” she said, turning toward 
the educator, “I thot of ignoring it. Certainly I could only 
construe it as a dismissal. But having workt with you for 
two years and shared your joys and sorrows, sure that tho 
you penned the letter, the request was not your own ; out of 
great respect for you, I have written the resignation. Here 
it is.” She handed him the letter and went back to her seat. 

At this point the other personality broke in. His tones 
were rather sonorous. “Miss Haskell, I’m hoping that the 
Trustee Board will reconsider its action and not accept your 
resignation. You’ve been an invaluable co-w r orker and I dis- 
like much to lose you. Of course, a Faculty should be mobile, 
otherwise it can have no life. We can not always keep our 
workers ; but w r hen they do go, we want to lose them for im- 
portant considerations, not mere caprices.” 

“Doctor Harper, do you think we have acted merely upon 
impulse and not for the interests of the community?” Mr. 
Tucker interrupted impatiently. 

“I can regard the action as being only the result of a 
public storm, not of quiet deliberation. As one who for 
twenty years has been selecting teachers and passing upon 
their usefulness to the school under my charge, I was the 
one to dismiss Miss Haskell. I determine the policies of the 
institution; I see that they are carried out.” The president 
was very impressive. 

Here Thelma interrupted. “Dr. Harper, I couldn’t re- 
main now, since the majority of the people do not want me.” 

“Miss Haskell, you’ll do, I know, what is best for the 
community,” the president affirmed. Thelma nodded assent. 
“All this is the work of a few irascible citizens. There were 
several mass meetings, stirred by explosive oratory. My 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


179 


presence was not desired at any of them. I attended the last, 
however, and forced an opportunity to speak. I askt the 
people first to hear you, Miss Haskell; but so much venom 
had already been dispersed, that they chose a hasty course, 
to the disgrace of Williamsburg.” He paused a few moments 
and then continued. “Mr. Tucker, do you know anything 
about Sojourner Truth, her whose spirit we try to emulate?” 

“I know only that she was a great Negress who was freed 
before the Civil War and lived quite a while after it,” he 
replied. 

“Then read this chapter concerning her, in Mr. Crom- 
well’s ‘The Negro in American History.’ Meanwhile I’ll glean 
from Miss Haskell many particulars concerning her recent 
trip,” he requested very politely. 

“May I take the book home and read it? I’ll have more 
time to do the task justice,” Mr. Tucker remarkt rising to go. 

Treating him as he would a school boy that studies only 
under the task master, Dr. Harper said, “It’s important that 
you read this now. We have a serious matter to decide, which 
can only be handled after knowing all the facts.” The presi- 
dent urged his request because of the influence of Mr. Tucker 
with his colleagues. As went Mr. Tucker, so went the other 
trustees. 

Assenting to the entreaty, he withdrew to the farthest 
corner of the room, Thelma and Dr. Harper to the opposite. 
Tho Mr. Tucker wanted to know what was being softly 
spoken in the interview, he was finally able to concentrate suffi- 
ciently to be entranced by the life of that great woman. After 
an interval, he read voraciously. Having completed the sketch, 
he went to his former seat and said, “Dr. Harper, I’m ready.” 

The president turned in his chair, opened the envelope 
on his desk, and said, “Miss Haskell, read this. It’s your 
resignation.” 


180 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


“Dr. Harper, I object,’’ Mr. Tucker put forth impatiently. 
“That letter should be placed before the Board. This is no 
time for its consideration.” 

“I see no grounds for your objection. The lady knows 
its contents, for she wrote it. Moreover, it is addrest to me,. 
I may hear it. Finally, since resignations are filed in my 
office and are never read at Board meetings except upon 
request, and as no such request has been made up to this time, 
the reading is entirely apropos,” he uttered with great passion. 

“Well, I don’t like it,” protested the trustee. 

“Read on, Miss Haskell,” said the educator. 

President Harper, 

Dear Sir: 

I resign. I resign the girls to your wise counsel and to 
her who comes to be your dean. I resign the Board of Trus- 
tees to their proper sphere, champions of better days to be. I 
resign you and your loyal teachers to a work much better than 
the old, instructing adults as well as children, for all have 
much to learn. I resign myself to my own world of hope, 
love and youthful endeavor. I resign the shackles of woman, 
forged by superstitious conventionality, and hurl them to their 
destined place a thousand years behind Time. 

What care I for the scorn of thousands? This world has 
its millions. I am living not for today, but for all the tomor- 
rows. I go. Goodbye. I resign. 

Yours respectfully, 

(Miss) Thelma Haskell. 

When she had finisht, Dr. Harper said, “Do you still feel 
the same towards our dean? Haven’t you really made a mis- 
take? Don’t you feel that you should see your co-workers 
and arrange for a reconsideration?” 

Mr. Tucker was convinced of his error and the very fact 
that he was wrong irritated him immensely. Unwilling to ad- 
mit that he had made a mistake, he spoke vehemently, “Miss 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 181 

Haskell is an imposter, a regular snake in the grass. She per- 
forms acts, which we vigorously condemn, then puts herself 
before us as a martyr. She’s a devil incarnate/’ Suddenly 
inflamed with an almost unconquerable hate, he lost complete 
control of himself. 

“Be careful as to what you say,” came passionately from 
Thelma. “I have this evening given you my greatest respect, 
not because you deserve it, but because you’re in the home 
of one whose character is faultless.” 

“Mr. Tucker,” Dr. Harper interrupted, to have his guest 
resume his equipoise, “temper is powerless where reason fails. 
Miss Haskell has done you no wrong. As she has treated you 
most kindly, your vituperation is entirely out of place. If I 
were as sure of the honor of the majority of the women of 
Williamsburg, as I am of that of this young lady, I should 
know that the future of my race is secure. 

“Women can deceive some men, but I know them well. 
This woman is a vampire. Get out of my sight !” he shriekt. 

“You forget that this is my house, Mr. Tucker.” 

“Well, I can leave it,” responded the trustee, as he started 
to go. Thelma stept to one side to let him pass. “Woman, 
don’t look at me. I'll crush the life out of you,” he said, rush- 
ing to her with hands outstretcht to grasp her by the throat. 

“Stand back, you demon, you reprobate, you scoundrel. 
Put your hands on me and you’re a dead man. Shame on 
you,” she shouted, flashing a revolver in his face, before the 
president could place himself between them. “Thank you, 
Dr. Harper, but I can take care of him myself. I bought this 
companion for the white and black toughs who assault colored 
women. I’d expect to find them occasionally in the slums, 
but least of all here. This place should be sacred; only those 
with the highest sense of honor should enter it.” The trustee 
cowered. “Mr. Tucker,” she continued, after scrutinizing him 


182 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


a while, “if I thot you were ready for heaven, I’d send you 
there. You are not fit to die, and yet not fit to live. Sir, re- 
member I am a woman.” 

Then Dr. Harper interrupted to make the master stroke, 
“Don’t you in your heart admire Miss Haskell?” 

Before the trustee could answer, sounds of children's 
joyous singing came beneath the windows : 

Miss Haskell is a lady 
She’s always sweet and shady. 

We’ll take her to the bowling green 
To be our fairy queen. 

When these sweet sounds could no longer be heard, the 
trustee proceeded to leave. As the guest past out of the 
door, Dr. Harper said, “Mr. Tucker, I am going to recommend 
that Miss Haskell continue to be our dean.” In a moment 
the trustee had gone. When the door downstairs closed, he 
added with great satisfaction, “Gallant lady, I believe we’ve 
won a victory.” 


CHAPTER XIX. 


A little leaven leaveneth a whole lump. — I Cor. 5: 6. 

It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three 
measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. — Lu. 13 : 21. 

He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and ex- 
alted them of low degree. — Lu. 1 : 52. 

When the party which included Rev. Ross and Susan 
arrived at Seaton, William Smith was standing at the sta- 
tion, ready to give them every hospitable consideration the 
South could afford. After he had arranged for the convey- 
ance of all the others, he placed Susan by his side. Rev. Ross 
and the mothers sat in the rear. Within a few minutes they 
were at the celebrated estate and seated for breakfast. 

After the morning meal, the eager visitors made a tour 
about the farm. William took unusual pains to see that no 
phase of his enterprise escaped the attention of his guests. 
Furthermore, as each detail was considered, time was taken 
for a brief discourse, in order that all might have a compre- 
hensive view of the entire plan, which would be both educa- 
tive and highly enjoyable. 

When they had made thus a complete survey of the prop- 
erty and witnessed several demonstrations, they assembled for 
a fete on the lawn. It was now late in the afternoon. The sun 
had gone down. Besides, a welcome breeze came upon them 
in a shady nook, where all was charming and delightful. 

There the people rejoiced and reveled, singing, dancing, 
romping, and gaming. All were happy and gay. Why should 
they not be? Refreshments were free and in great abundance: 

183 


184 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


cake, ice cream, punch and various soft drinks. Everyone 
was enraptured that he had come and regretted the absence 
of his friends. 

While the gayety ran high, William tried to find a se- 
cluded place where he might talk intimately with Susan; but 
as all had apparently laid claim to him, up to this time he had 
not succeeded. He might have gone off in his car; but as 
this was a party, he felt that he should always keep within 
reach. 

At last, as the best he could do, he went quite a distance 
from the others but never out of view. 

Susan was as fine and dainty as ever, sweet and good, 
like a robust girl ready for tennis. Her dress of white and 
her canvas oxfords bewitcht the gazer at once. Add to this 
a glance at her russet face, demure and fair, and her wav- 
ing, dark hair, the spectator would not be charmed, trans- 
ported, or allured, but completely overawed. 

They sat upon a wicker seat facing the other guests, hop- 
ing not to be disturbed. “Susan, I'm glad that you have come. 
I’ve been hoping that you would have appeared earlier; since 
I could not leave because of the wheat harvest in the neigh- 
borhood. Within a few days we shall have finisht, then I’ll 
have considerable time to myself/’ said Smith. 

“I wanted to come, William, so much; but I thot it best 
to wait until today. When I learned that Thelma was here, 
however, I became almost furious.” Her face showed it. “I 
wonder should I tell you this,” she continued. “Well, it’s all 
right. I had started, had really reacht the station, when mother 
overtook me. She pleaded and cried so bitterly that I de- 
cided to go back. She was sadly happy to tell William of the 
fullness of her heart, dedicated wholly to him. 

“Yet I do wish you had come alone. We should have 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


185 


found time to thresh out all uncertainties. As it is we may be 
disturbed at any moment/* 

“Suppose I had come. What would have occurred in Wil- 
liamsburg? Do you know what the community did for Thelma? 
They held indignation meetings against her. That wasn’t all. 
I met her, as she was coming from President Harper’s. 

“Just think of it. Mr. Tucker was so rude as to make 
a scene in the president’s office. I’m glad he found his match 
tho.” For a while Susan’s jealousy was gone. Her face 
showed a smile delicately sweet and captivating. 

“What did she do ?” inquired William, very eager to know 
all the details. 

“Ask me rather what she did not do. I have to admire 
her even tho she is my rival.’’ 

At this juncture, Lewis Brown appeard accompanied by 
another gentleman, of rustic mien but simple grace, a loyal 
citizen of the land. “Rev. Smith,” said Brown a bit embar- 
rassed, “pardon this intrusion, please. But Mr. Houston — ” he 
pointed to the gentleman — “wants to see you on some very im- 
portant business. If it hadn’t been urgent; I’d forced him to 
wait until tomorrow.” 

“Is the business private?” 

“I can say what I’ve got to say right heah. Dis all ’tis. 
Mr. Martin wants to rent me his farm dis fall for four hun- 
dred eighty dollars. What mus’ I do. Ef you says, ‘Tek it,’ 
it’s a bargain. Ef you says, ‘Let ’er go,’ I don’ want it,” he 
spoke with great directness, fearless and unshamed. 

“It’ll be all right, Mr. Houston,” responded William very 
courteously. “You must draw up no papers tho; don’t sign 
anything until I go with you to Mr. Martin.” 

“You bet yo’ boots. One oder thing Rev. Smith. Dan’el 
Martin told me ef I sed ‘Yis’ today, I could buy rations dere 
and pay after I'd made a crop. Should I do dis?” the visitor 


186 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


inquired with a simple faith that showed almost worship for 
our young man. 

“Pay cash for your rations. You have enough in bank 
to do this. If you start working a crop to pay a grocery bill, 
you may never get out of Martin's debt.'’ 

“I’d git out, but Ise gwine a foller your advice. I'll be 
heali early tomorrow mornin’. Thank you, good bye." He 
bowed and turned to go. 

William detained him for a while. “Mr. Houston," he 
said, “you haven’t met my guest, I'm sure. This is a dear 
friend of mine, Miss Lee of Williamsburg. Miss Lee, meet 
Mr. Houston." 

' “My spec's, my complemints." He did not tarry long. 
He soon said, “Be good to yo' self. Good bye." 

Within a few minutes Brown and Mr. Houston were 
soon out of sight. Almost immediately loud outbursts of 
laughter now came forth near the house, as a result of the 
fall of Mrs. Castle. As it was merely an incident of merri- 
ment, the party was not disturbed in the least. Susan had 
•started in that direction, but since order was very quickly 
restored, she returned to her seat. 

“William, how I wish I could remain here several days! 
I’ve had a good time, a good time. I’ve been almost in a 
continuous state of ecstacy. I'm going to ask mother, if she 
won’t stay longer. Papa can spare us. He'll do anything 
for me." 

“Do ask her." 

“I’ll do so at once." She hurried off. When she had 
gone quite a few yards, she was accosted by a white farmer 
of middle age in working attire. 

“Madame," he began, “can you tell me where I can find 
Mr. Smith? I want his advice on a very serious matter.” 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


187 


There he sits. He 11 be glad to see you.” Susan found 
her mother with practically no difficulty, took her aside, and 
made her request. Her effort, however, was rather arduous 
because there were many interruptions. There were inquiries 
of “How are you enjoying yourself? Isn’t the punch delight- 
ful? This is truly a wonderful estate, isn’t it?” They rarely 
expected an answer, for before the person questioned could 
make reply, the inquisitor was gone. By persisting and con- 
stantly renewing the broken threads of speech, she was able 
to get a definite answer. 

When she reacht William again, she saw that his visitor 
was about to go. He turned to him and said, “This is the 
young lady who pointed you out. I haven’t seen her before ; 
is she a stranger in these parts?” 

“Yes, she comes from my home town, Williamsburg. Mr, 
Nailor, this is Miss Lee, daughter of one of the largest manu- 
facturers in that town.” 

“Miss Lee, I’m glad to meet you. I hope you’ll have a 
pleasant time here.” 

“So I am. I find this country almost a paradise.” Susan 
was perfectly natural. 

“Well, I must be going. We’ll see Davis Monday. Good 
day, Mr. Smith. Good bye. Miss Lee.” . Susan lookt at 
him in amazement. For the first time she had met a southern 
white man who did not place himself above colored people. 
She stood entranced, almost as if hypnotized, watching Mr. 
Nailor move slowly over the stately hillocks of William’s 
farm. She herself eventually started in that direction, sighed, 
and peered. Then she returned to her seat. 

“William, I want some information; and. you must give 
it. Since Fve been in your company today at least twelve 
persons have sought your counsel. I have counted five white 


138 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


farmers among the number. What has come over this place? 
It was not thus before you came.” Susan tossed her head 
bewitchingly and awaited an answer. 

“A better day is dawning. That’s all. The South, you 
know, is aristocratic. Once you grasp the significance of 
that, progress becomes rapid. The typical southern gentle- 
man wants someone perpetually to do the laborious tasks of 
life, particularly his farming. Regarding the black man as 
his inferior, he seizes upon him to do this work perpetually.” 

“I know the colored share little in common with the 
whites. We do come together in a few stores, but not as 
equals. William, why is this?” she pleaded, breathing deeply 
the breeze which then passed gently by. 

“It is simply the white man’s ignorance. Booker T. Wash- 
ington has well said, ‘To keep a man in the gutter you must 
stay down there with him yourself.’ The South has been stay- 
ing in the gutter, while the North, East, and West have gone 
on high. 

“I came here accepting two callenges : first that of my fel- 
low minister, according to which I should not preach. The 
other defiance was the white man’s ; namely, that my place is 
down South on the farm. My people can not all become 
farmers, for many of us have the genius of merchants, or of 
mechanics, or of the professional men. All these we need and 
shall have. To dignify farming, however, and cause even 
many of the whites to consider it honorable toil, I launcht this 
big experiment.” 

“I’ve seen your building and several of your demonstra- 
tions given by use of equipment stored in them ; but I’d like 
for you to tell me of some of the influences which do not lie 
at the surface.” 

“Well, this was my inspiration. Seeing that the colored 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


181 


outnumbered the whites and that I was in the midst of a tra- 
ditional aristocracy, I at once became aware that we were be- 
ing even forced to work, while a few enjoyed idle ease. Not 
only were my people hardly making expenses, but even large 
numbers of the whites. We’ve been held back by the endless 
grocery bill. That’s why I told Mr. Houston to obtain noth- 
ing on credit.” 

.“I remember the incident.” 

“Another important fact you yourself mentioned. The 
two groups rarely meet. I do believe, however, they meet 
more- frequently in the country than in the town. It’s no un- 
common sight for white and black farmers to help each other, 
both during planting and harvest. Both groups have been 
and are oppressed, and need each other’s help to throw 7 off 
their economic slavery. Of course the groups are closer to- 
gether now than they were, w r hen I came to establish here.” 

“Anyone can vouch for that whose life can touch both 
extremities. Tell me tho, what you did to help on the change.” 
Susan’s eyes were riveted upon him. The occasional laughter 
did not disturb her in the least. William paused merely to 
look at her and be made anew by the magic of her sparkling 
eyes. Would the day might never end! 

“I put in a small crop,” he began,” and askt . different 
members of my own race to let me help them produce theirs. 
Many were at first reluctant, but after a mass meeting in the 
school house, I had them all. There I askt how many owned 
farms, how many rented, how many meant to buy soon, and 
how many were not going to buy at all. I advised them if 
they had not bought, to see me before discussing the matter 
with any one who wanted to sell. The following day I lookt 
at the deeds of those who had bought. Most of theme were 
deeds fee entail and not fee simple ; which means that those 


190 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


persons holding such were owners until death, after which < 
time the property reverted to the man who sold or to his 
heirs. The possessors were furious. Several of the deeds 
were made out properly, but most of them were not. It was I 
this incident that gave me my people.” 

Susan was not satisfied. She knew that he must have j 
angered many of the whites, even tho he had merely done his 
duty. To learn the other phase of the issue, she askt, *'H'ow j 
did you win the white farmer?” 

"I pursued the same policy and found that many of them 
who thot they owned their land were merely renting for life, j 
All their deeds, however, were rewritten, so that those who 
had been beguiled would have such a title as would permit 
the property to go to their own descendents. In addition to ■ 
this, I showed many of them how to prepare their own fertil- 
izer and how to test their soil. I have given myself equally 
to both groups as far as they would permit.” 

"'You surely have done wonders. Yours is the work that 
counts.” At this, she lookt away and within four feet of her, 
there skipt and played two squirrels. She called them. At 
once they stopt, turned in her direction and capered to a tree 
near by. She called again and they turned merely to notice; 
then gracefully scampered away. Susan stood enraptured, 
forced for a time to be speechless. 

Seeing her thus absorbed, William askt, "What is your 
meditation? Permit me to share with you.” Susan had gone 
to the tree wliere the sinuous creatures had sought refuge. 
She lookt up, in order to follow their movements; but- she 
lost sight of them, as soon as they leapt to another tree. 

"They are indeed happy. Would I were so! I wonder 
if they are mates.” For the first time that day her brow was 
clouded. She was thinking of her own situation. 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 191 

“I thot you were happy. At least you have said so sev- 
eral times today. Why are you otherwise now?” he ques- 
tioned as he went to her side. He wanted to take her hand, 
but as there was no privacy in that spot, he contented himself 
with a look that spoke great admiration. 

“I was happy until I saw the squirrels,” she remarkt with 
an emotion so deep as to thrill his entire frame. “I was think- 
ing how near they are to each other and how far we are 
apart.” 

“Aren’t we near to each other, Susan? My soul goes out 
to yours and I do believe they oft embrace.” 

“I’ll agree to all that; but do they go out to each other as 
the only possible refuge, as the only port in a storm, as the 
only oasis in a desert? You understand?” came the query, 
with a passion that revealed a determination to have an answer. 
The circumstances were not to send her empty away. Thelma, 
she knew, had made an impression. She must know of any 
change. 

William reflected a few moments before making reply. 
The interruptions had been so many, as to prevent his being 
occupied only with Susan. The image and grace of Thelma 
kept looming before him ; thus he found himself all day con- 
trasting the two. He had resolved within several days to 
make the choice, which was recently forced upon him. 

“That is the point I must reach soon,” he continued. “My 
desire is not to make you miserable but happy. The life I 
pursue is one which may incite strong currents of envy. In 
a lawless South, I’ve declared war on prejudice, on fraud and 
all injustice. You recall the lynching of Mr. Crawford, one 
of the most worthy citizens of his state. What was his crime ? 
The acquisition of legitimate wealth.” he recalled too the lynch- 


192 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


ing which he had seen, the summer he went far South. BRU- 
TALITY! BARBARISM! SAVAGERY! 

Now Susan became somewhat nervous, for she was about 
to ask a question which had long been lingering on her minu. 
She wanted to hear what he had to say concerning it. “Wil- 
liam,” she askt, “do you like Thelma?” As soon as she had 
spoken, she moved a step or two away, for she partly believed 
that she had acted improperly. Yet she was bent on standing 
her ground, because she wanted to remove all uncertainty. 

“Yes, I do,” he admitted. “I like her very much. You 
know how we used to romp together in early childhood.” 

“I remember,” she said plaintively. “I wish I could tell 
you how I feel at times especially at night as I lie in bed just 
before going to sleep, I have tried to send you a thot. I think 
of all I should like to have. Indeed strange presentiments 
come before me. I fear. I fear — ” 

“What do you fear ?” he broke in to retard her rapid emo- 
tion. Realizing the burden of her soul, he wanted to help her 
to dispel it. 

The guests in the distance now became rather uproarious. 
The cessation of the music gave occasion for many peals of 
laughter; for at this time George Brown, the son of the chief 
cropper, passed by on a goat that was trying its best to thro^ 

him. 

Susan thus found time to become more composed ; for the 
attention of all had to some extent been disconcerted. When 
the hilarity abated, they saw Rev. Ross coming towards them 
leisurely. 

“Susan, you failed to tell me your fears,” he persisted. 

“Sometimes I fear some great harm will befall you, and 
I’ll not be by to aid you. I fear also — William, I can’t tell 
you.” 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


193 


“Susan, you must/’ he persisted. “You can confide in me, 
can’t you? If it’s a secret, I’ll carry it with me to eternity. 
I answer all your questions; surely you will answer mine.” 

“William, I can no longer hold out, you know my heart is 
your3 forever. Oh, that yours were mine ! That’s my dread. 
I fear that I shall lose you,” she almost whispered. Yet she 
was conquering the manly heart. What bulwarks can we raise 
againt sweetness, what defense against beauty, loveliness, and 
constant devotion ! Love conquers all things. 

“Try to remove the fear. A few moments of privacy 
will settle it all. If I thot I had the promise of ten more 
years of life, I could make answer now,” he said going towards 
the house. 

“To know that you were mine even for a day would be 
bliss enough for me,” her soul cried out with the admission 
she had made. For a while she trembled, because she felt 
as if the night winged horrors of disappointment to her. 

“Think of this tonight,” he urged to avoid rashness, “and 
let us decide tomorrow, after a soul to soul talk alone. You’re 
going to remain over another day, aren’t you?” At this time 
Rev. Ross was almost upon them. Already he had called to 
them saying it was time for the party to prepare for Williams- 
burg. 

Susan sorrowfully replied, “No, I go back tonight. I 
ought to be stubborn for once. I ought to rebel.” That night 
she went back to Williamsburg. 


CHAPTER XX. 

Fify years ago you doubtless would have rankt Japan 
among the benighted nations. *** But since the happenings 
at Mukden and Port Arthur, I suppose you are ready to 
change your mind upon the subject. *** In the proud days 
of Aristotle, the ancestors of Newton and Shakespeare could 
not count beyond the ten fingers. — Miller 

While the party from Williamsburg was taking a full 
measure of happiness, while William was entertaining Susan 
under difficulties, twelve white men assembled at the home 
of Robert White, a hard worker strongly obsest with the idea 
of white supremacy. Tho biased, he was liberal enough to 
call in men of different occupations. 

In the modest front room of the weatherboard dwelling, 
illuminated with a simple kerosene lamp, the gentlemen dis- 
cussed miscellaneous topics till all those expected had arrived. 
When the last was seated, Robert White promptly began, 
“Gentlemen, we’re here to decide what’s to be done wltli nig- 
gers round here — especially this smart darkey, Parson Smith.” 

Mr. Davis, whose wheat was thresht the first day of 
Thelma’s visit, rose promptly and interfered thus, “Mr. White, 
pardon my interruption but let us not speak of niggers and 
darkies. When we talk in that way we lose our presence 
of mind. Call them colored people. If we are to act justly, 
we must be calm.” 

“Davis, I’m just talking as I feel. To me they’re just 
downright niggers, if to you they’re different all right. Gen- 
tlemen the meeting is open.” He spoke in utter scorn of a 

loyal race. 


194 


195 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

Fred Dean then arose. He had not been long in the vicin- 
ity and, therefore, was somewhat unwilling to lead the way. 
Having developed a keen appreciation for Smith he was ready 
for a defense, but thot he should first have a thoro knowledge 
of the facts in the case. ‘'Gentlemen, as I’m a newcomer, 
just tell me what all the noise is about. What harm is Mr. 
Smith doing?” 

Tom Howell, reporter for the “Seaton Gazette,” robust 
and boisterous, was on his feet in a twinkling, “There’s the 
trouble,” he shouted, brandishing his first in the air and looking 
quickly from one to the other. “Mr. Smith,” he sneered. “Mr. 
Smith. Before that coon came here nobody called a nigger 
Mister. Now all those darkies on his farm have to stay in 
their place.” 

Mr. Nailor, who had gone there directly from William’s 
estate, broke in at this point, “Tom Howell, I know you. What 
have you done for this town? You’ve only gotten drunk off 
Crabtree’s liquor, with that political bunch, and stolen the labor 
of ignorant colored men. If our courts weren’t crooked, you’d 
been on the chain gang long ago. That’s where you belong.” 
This was too much for the biased men. 

Luke Crabtree and Tom Howell began simultaneously to 
abuse Nailor. Pandemonium almost followed. The alertness 
of those not involved in the altercation alone prevented blows. 

When quiet again prevailed, Nailor resumed his remarks 
as if no turbulence had occurred. “I call the Reverend ‘Mis- 
step and properly address all members on his estate. Because 
they are gentlemen, I treat them as such. Besides he and his 
helpers have made this community thrive more than any one 
I’ve seen here in the last fifteen years. I’ll take off my hat 
to him and as many more as will do as much.” 

“They’ll be wanting to marry your daughter, too,” inter- 


196 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


rupted Newton Young, one of the brokers of Seaton. 

“Newton, I call you ‘Mister/ Yet if I thot any one of my 
daughters was bent on marrying you, Fd kill her before she'd 
have the chance. Fd rather marry her to any of those col- 
ored men on that estate, for they are honest." 

“Gentlemen," came from Silas Jones, who had kept si- 
lence only with great constraint, “I believe Bob made a mis- 
take in calling some of these folks here this night." 

“No, Silas, it’s better to have all sorts of folks in this 
meeting; for tho I feel that the niggers have taken some of 
our rights, I want to hear what some of our best men think 
of the matter," he put in, desiring to have all be tolerant to- 
wards each other. “Probably we can't never agree with ’em, 
but it aint goin’ to hurt us to listen." 

“As soon as a white man starts doing his duty towards 
his colored brother, men who want something for nothing 
begin to throw up the question of amalgamation. Want to 
marry my daughters," said Nailor with a jeer. “That’s their 
business. The women will take care of that. If my daughter 
loves a black man, and he loves her; if they decide to unite, 
after having considered all the consequences — all I have to 
say is this. What God has joined together, let no man put 
asunder." 

‘You talk like that,” said Sandy James, a petty fogging 
lawyer, “because you’ve got your property, but these men who 
see the nigger going ahead, see that something must be done 
to keep the darkey down. If they don’t wake up, the nig- 
gers will be running the country.” Turning” to Mr. Davis, he 
continued. “Davis, you’re a fair-minded man, you're the big- 
gest of us all. Answer one question for me. Do you think 
it safe for us to follow this high sounding talk of Nailor?" 

Mr. Davis did not care to answer at this time, for he 


197 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OP HIS SOUL 

felt that some of those present might purposely distort his 
words. However, as he was not a man to stand on the fence, 
he very soon made reply. “I may not agree with all Nailor 
says, but I do agree with him in this : treat a man as you find 
him. If he’s honest, industrious and keeps his word, treat 
him on the square. There are some colored folks I don’t 
want around me ; but any time I can get one of Rev. Smith’s 
force, I hold him tight.” He struck one hand in the other, to 
be the more impressive. “I have to pay those men more than 
I do other folks, but they stick to the job, they do their work 
better and even show me how to make more money.” 

That’s what we’re complaining about,” said Silas Jones, 
stamping his feet. “That nigger’s running our folks out of 
work.” 

“On the contrary,” went on Mr. Davis, “he’s making work 
for them. He’s showed them how to keep fruit upon the tree 
until it ripens. He’s showed them how to treat their hogs for 
cholera. He’s shown them how to raise other staples than 
cotton. And Silas, you know he came to show you how to 
handle your bottom lands, that would have meant work for 
many of our people. What’s been the result? The land’s idle 
— no good to you nor anybody else.” 

“I ran him away. I don’t want a nigger to show me 
nothing,” came from Silas with a scorn even for those who 
brook such consideration. 

“Why don’t you go to the University then and have some 
white man teach you something about improved farming?” re- 
markt Fred Dean, who was moving with the spirit of his age. 
He chewed vigorously his quid of home cured and offered 
some of the same brand to all present. “We folks have be- 
lieved the professors were just dreamers, but these days, if a 
man means to go ahead in farming, he must keep in touch 


198 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


with the Agricultural Department of the United States and 
with the agricultural schools. Smith wouldn't be able to do 
these wonders, if he hadn’t gone to one of those schools. He’s 
done this community a whole lot of good. We’re going to be 
glad to go. Having seen what this one man has done in spite 
of the prejudice against him, more of our people are going 
to stay on the farms and not run to the cities.” 

The tide had drifted too favorably in Smith’s direction 
for several present, who had ambitions which they deemed it 
unwise to disclose at this particular time. These put their 
heads together, as it were, to make their case strong. Of this 
group, Luke Crabtree, the saloon keeper, who had listened at- 
tentively to all that had been said, arose to put in his conten- 
tion. “Friends, this nigger’s almost running me out of busi- 
ness. The darkies used to drink almost their entire week's 
earnings with me, now they’re becoming scarcer and scarcer 
than ever. Instead of spending with me, they’re carrying it 
to the bank. Even old Rufus Childs, that trifling nigger, al- 
most never comes now. If this keeps up, there won’t be any- 
body on the chain gang to work the county roads and some 
of the big plantations. Something’s got to be done mighty 
quick.” 

“You ought to be glad the darkies are behaving them- 
selves,” spoke Daniel Martin for the first time that evening. 
“When they’re good, you get more work out of ’em. Then 
you can depend upon them, for they work every day.” 

“That may be all right,” came from Sandy Janes, “but 
when niggers get a little money, they begin to think they’re 
just as good as white folks. I don’t fear the nigger who 
hasn’t any sense. You’re not going to have any trouble keep- 
ing him in his place. It’s the educated nigger I fear.” 

“You gave me the impression awhile ago,” said Henry 


199 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

Mitchell, the harness repairer who had been trying to edge in 
a word but somehow had been prevented, “that the Negro is 
inferior to )'OU, that he is inferior to the white race.’* 

“Yes, he’s inferior,” was the lawyer’s quick retort. “He 
never was anything, he’s nothing now, and he’ll never amount 
to anything.” 

“If that’s so,” replied Mitchell, “the white man needs 
have no fear. If there’s nothing in the Negro, then our dis- 
cussion is out of place. Give him time and he’ll die out. Noth- 
ing you do for him can save him, if he’s inferior. Besides if 
you’re superior, you have no cause whatever for worry. Every- 
thing is in your favor; success was yours before the world 
began.” 

“Well, they say there’s nothing in him,” rejoined the law- 
yer, not to be outdone by the good sense of a non-professional 
man. “Yet when we see one do the work of that smart darkey 
and his helpers, there may be a mistake. Hence we must be 
on the safe side. I might probably be speaking differently but 
for the ‘Birth of a Nation,’ the moving picture which was 
shown here six weeks ago. Did you see it, gentlemen?” All 
had seen it. “What do you think of it?” 

All agreed that reflection was necessary. The attempted 
rape by the lustful, blood-thirsty scoundrel stirred the passion- 
ate natures of them all. The suggestion was enough to move 
to action and produce the effect that several had all the while 
desired. They seized upon it as the crux of their whole de- 
sign. Vituperation poured upon vituperation, then many ebul- 
litions of pusilanimity. The lawyer spoke now as if in a poli- 
tical campaign, and used all the tricks of the experienced “fire 
eater.” He recalled the scene in the southern senate, which 
Griffith and Dixon have made disgusting and nauseating in 
the extreme. He followed this with a vivid sketch of the 


200 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


Lieutenant-Governor s effort to force the Governor’s daughter 
to marry him. Then he closed with praise of the Ku Klux 
Klan, representing it as the savior of the South. He sat down 
amidst great applause of half the assembly. 

Those who had spoken in behalf of fair play, tho imprest 
by the lawyer’s rhetoric, maintained their presence of mind. 
While the others went to Sandy James and shook hands with 
him firmly, congratulating him upon his magic eloquence, 
these gentlemen remained calmly seated, as if mere spectators 
of a drama. Eventually Mr. Nailor interrupted, “Gentlemen, 
pardon my disturbance, I call upon you now more urgently 
than ever to be composed. After a storm, we need to look 
to our moorings. This is a new South, and Rev. Smith' is 
the new Negro. The scoundrel shown in the ‘Birth of Na- 
tion,’ tho later than the Uncle Tom type, is also passing. You 
know as well as I that in the last ten years not a colored 
man has been lyncht in this state for rape. The educated 
Negro never commits this crime anywhere; the guilty man 
is the culprit we permit to loaf in the streets.” 

“I don’t trust none of them,” put in Bob White. “I wish 
I could, but it just goes against the grain.” 

“Why can’t you trust them? Your fathers did, and your 
mothers too? When the yankees came upon us and stript us 
of our parents and of their possessions, when filthy soldiers 
would have done them violence, who kept them pure, who died 
to preserve -their chastity? It was the Negro slave. Bob, 
your own mother often tells how the slaves fought and died 
to keep her inviolate,” affirmed Mr. Nailor with abundant 
gratitude for their unstinted love. 

“That was the old nigger,” was Bob’s response. “They 
never gave no trouble. We like that kind of nigger even to- 
day, but we can find only a precious few of them. They’re 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 201 

dying out fast. If all the niggers were like those, we’d not 
have no complaint. They always staid in their place.** 

“I see the trouble. You want a New South but an Old 
Negro. The combination is impossible. Old things have 
passed away. If you have a New South, you must have a 
New Negro. And I don’t bite my tongue to say that Rev. 
Smith is the kind the South wants/’ Mr. Nailor again took up 
the gauntlet as the contestant for the new order of the day. 
He wanted these men to do nothing rash, so he held them in 
abeyance. 

“We’ll see about that,” interrupted Tom Howell, fully re- 
covered from the rebuff given him at the early part of the 
meeting. “Tom Dixon has as much blue blood as you, Mr. 
Nailor, and we believe he knows his business.” 

Before there could come a reply, Mrs. White and her two 
daughters brot in a service of cake and wine. As their ener- 
gies had been well consumed by the day's work and the even- 
ing’s discussion, they welcomed the refreshments with unusual 
zest. Their minds relaxed, the tension lessened, then followed 
an animated jollity that seemingly dispelled all differences. 
Each had to be served several times. 

When each was ashamed to ask for more, Bob White 
again called the meeting to order. “Gentlemen, let's return 
to business. I think we’ve had enough discussion; now let's 
decide on some sort of action. The question, is ‘What’s to 
be done with Parson Smith and his niggers, and others who’re 
taking on his ways.’” 

The question was certainly perplexing, for White's man- 
ner of putting it included not only the colored people, but the 
white who had profited by William’s friendly counsel. Those 
who had been swept away by Sandy James’ invective, tho ready 
to take any course against the Negro, were not inclined at all 


202 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


to act against the whites. “Gentlemen, what are you going 
to do to these folks ?” he repeated. 

“I say, ‘Let them alone,’ ” spoke Mr. Davis, representing 
the progressive element of the South, who tired of the turmoil 
produced by the lawless and the impetuous, were eager for 
the economic life of that section to take its proper place. 
“Gentlemen, we’ve been thinking too much about ourselves. 
We must stop it. We must look to the interests of the Na- 
tion. She has a proud name that should not be tarnisht. To 
do this we have always been aided by the loyal blood of our 
colored brother. If you knew the honorable place he has held 
in American history, you would aid him, and not throw obsta- 
cles in his path. Free Negroes and slaves were with Washing- 
ton at Valley Forge and endured all the hardships of the Revo- 
lution. They were with Perry at Lake Erie, and with Old Hick- 
ory at New Orleans. Not a war have we fought on this grand 
continent which has not been made successful by the help of 
Negro slain. For the sake of our country, for the sake of dear 
old Dixie, let us be law abiding.” The passionate plea made 
an appeal to reason and to the pride which has been the great 
force in solidifying the sentiment of that section. Davis 
loved the South, they knew. .When the tears were trickling 
down his troubled face, they were enthralled in silence, they 
were captivated by his personality. For a moment all wanted 
to do right. 

It was only for a moment. The tricksters’ hearts could 
not relent long. They were too admantine. 

“Gentlemen, I have all respect for Mr. Davis,” came from 
Lawyer James. “I honor him as the great son of General 
Davis who fell in the cause ofThe Union — an unpopular cause 
in these parts — a man so courageous as to bear the odium of 
his neighbors, to follow what appeard to him to be right. I 


203 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

honor Mr. Davis because of his whole-hearted support of every 
activity launcht for the welfare of this town. Yet for the 
life of me, something must be done to save the South. We 
can’t afford to let these niggers get such a hold on our people 
as has this one. Already he has most of the well-to-do folks 
on his side, and we poor devils grovel in the dust.” 

“I’ve listened to you attentively. I took you all to be men. 
You don’t want to do right. If the plea of Mr. Davis didn't 
move you, why should any of us try,” remarkt Mr. Nailor, 
trying to force a decision. He stood with a hickory in his 
right hand. “Gentlemen, nothing should be done to terrify 
our colored population. You know we need their labor. Thou- 
sands of them keep going North because of just such men as 
you. When they’ve piled up dollars by honest toil, you find 
all sorts of ways to steal them. When they have laid by 
luxurious crops, you take them as your own. You give them 
poor schools, you insult their women. Now you’re asking 
what are we going to do to them. Haven’t we already done 
enough? He raised his cane aloft, as if ready to strike any- 
one who would disturb him. “I think I’ve heard enough,” he 
said impatiently, taking his hat and starting for the door. *T 
lost enough by this kind of efforts of you scalawags. Crops 
which should have been harvested long ago, have rotted be- 
cause of just such foolishness. I’ve heard enough,” he 
screamed. “If anyone bothers any of my hands, hell is going 
to overtake him. And that before judgment day. Good 
night.” He slammed the door. 

“Just leave him to me,” said Tom Howell, “I’ll bring 
him round. I’ve more power than you think.” 

“Others also rose to leave, who stood only for fair play. 
There were many entreaties that all would remain until a 
definite decision had been reacht. The lawyer, however, know- 


204 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


ing that there were others present whom he could not trust 
with his plan, had no apology to offer, no entreaty to make. He 
desired only their speedy departure. 

“Bob, I must go,” insisted Fred Dean, shaking hands 
warmly, “I promised the old lady I’d be back long before 
midnight. So Fd better be on my way. Bob, I aint’ goin’ 
to do anything wrong, but because I love Old Dixie, you can 
count on me to do anything that’s right. Good night.” 

“Good night, old pal,” was the exchange. 

The discussion waxed warm to bitterness ; not against any 
there, but against a rising race. Seeing that villany was up- 
permost, one by one those for justice left; for they regarded 
a longer sojourn there as merely wasteful. Mr. Davis lingered 
until they formally dismissed and all were supposed to go 
home. When he was starting away, he observed that Young, 
James, Crabtree, Howell, and Jones lingered behind. Evi- 
dently there was to be an extra session. Feeling that he was 
not wanted, he mounted his spirited bay and galloped home- 
ward. 

When he had gone a mile, he decided to turn from his 
way and go to Nailor’s, in the bright moonlight. When he 
reacht the main house, every place was dark. He called for 
quite a while without getting a response. Finally Jefferson 
Nailor, the eldest son, appeared at the door and said that his 
father had not as yet returned, that probably he had gone 
from the meeting to the station, to meet number sixty-five. 
The engineer was to bring him a message from Dallas. In 
an instant he was on his way. 

When he arrived at the station, he found Mr. Nailor 
placidly walking up and down. After tying his horse to a 
tree, he went to greet his friend. “Well, this is a surprise,” 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 205 

said Nailor, divining, however, what had caused his neighbor 
to seek him. 

“Nailor,” said Davis, “I couldn’t go to bed tonight until 
I congratulated you on the spirit you showed against those 
rascals. We can stop these outbreaks that disgrace our coun- 
try, if we only act soon enough. Are you willing to stop 
them ?” 

“You bet your boots. When will you make the start?” 

“This very night.” 

“I’m with you in life and death. By the God who made 
us, who brot us to this land not to debase, but to exalt man- 
kind, I dedicate myself to this holy work, to free my country.” 


CHAPTER XXI. 


To be or not to be : that is the question. 

Whether *tis nobler in the mind to suffer 
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune 
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, 

And by opposing end them. — Shakespeare 

The morning following the excursion from Williamsburg, 
Rev. Smith went early to his tasks. He sang a merry tune. 
How woman impresses man! A goddess of beauty, a queen 
of love, a paragon of adoration. She sinks him in hell; then 
thru pity or sport and most often love, exalts him straight to 
heaven. Once man has toucht her saintly person, he has tasted 
food fit for the gods alone. He has sipped ambrosial nectar. 
Having once enjoyed rapture, how can he live but at this 
celestial board? 

William had lately drunk the best of life. No day now 
could be dreary. Affronts of any sort were opportunities to 
be noble — to scorn hate, to love the sublime and true, to make 
the night like unto the day. 

As he was eager to read the newspaper, before starting 
the demonstration arranged for the forenoon, he lingered on 
his lawn beneath the exuberant shade of a stately elm. There 
he thot of his recent happiness, particularly the ecstacy of 
Thelma and Susan. What a joy to have lived and laught dur- 
ing those golden days of immediate recollection ! Some other 
changes, because of these soul benedictions, would have to 
come t* his estate. How soon, he dared not say. 

While contentedly overwhelmed by these musings, that set 
his heart afire with tenderness for all things, Andy Clarkston 
206 


207 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

came to him hurriedly and left the “Seaton Gazette” and tne 
mail. As the work on the farm was very well systematised, 
Clarkston had no time to tarry. He proceeded at once to put 
the material in order for those expected at the experimental 
plant. 

Automatically, William scanned the first page of the news- 
paper. Tho he had planned to let his letters take precedence, 
eagerness for news forced a glance at the daily. His most im- 
mediate observation was the following headline : THE 
DAUGHTER OF TED NAILOR, OUR GREAT TOWNS- 
MAN, MAY MARRY REV. SMITH, THE SMART NIG- 
GER, The Father Says He Has No Objection, MEN, RISE 
FOR THE SOUTH. William was determined, now that the 
letters should wait. Thereupon he directed himself to a care- 
ful study of the article and, as far as possible, all its rami- 
fications. Unaware of the meeting at Whites, he could not 
fathom it. He read it several times, then ceased to puzzle 
himself further. 

Tom Howell had prepared a biased, sensational article, 
distorted in the extreme, to put the public against Nailor, one 
of the foremost business men, and prepare for instant action 
against William. The aim was to throw a match into a bar- 
rel of gasoline. The reaction was of such nature. The white 
people were about as dumfounded as William. For they had 
thot that the reputation of the editor of “The Seaton Gazette” 
was such as to prevent any yellow journalism. There was 
no reflection about the non-appearance of an editorial based 
upon the news item. The important consideration was the fact 
that the statement was in the newspaper. As a natural se- 
quence a rapid discussion of the matter occurred in various 
groups. 

William hurried to the house, only to find no one there. 


208 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

Promptly he went to the garage, obtained his motorcycle and 
rode with greatest possible speed to the experimental fann. 
Generally these demonstrations were attended by both white 
and black; but on this occasion only colored farmers were 

present. 

When William dismounted, Jim Turner, a young man of 
twenty-six, said, “Dr. Smith, you’re late this morning. This 
is the first time I’ve know it to be so. We were all discussing 
it when we heard your ‘bike.’ ” 

“Gentlemen, I had something to make me late,” he spoke 
with emphasis. “A scurrilous, a damnable article appeared in 
this morning’s ‘Gazette’ concerning me.” He read the item, 
then handed them the paper to survey. Smiles now gave way 
to melancholy, scorn and anger. They were as greatly dis- 
turbed as if they knew an unavoidable avalanche was sweeping 
upon them to utter ruin with no chance of their escape. 

To remove their distraction, to bring them to a common 
end to assuage the horrors which brooded upon them, Lewis 
Brown broke the suspense. 

“You stand here like frightened sheep. You say you’re 
men, now show it. What are you going to do about this? 
You see what the white folks have done already. They’ve 
read this article. Don’t you see there’s not a one here, where- 
as generally we have as many white as colored? The white 
folks have acted, they’re together. Where are you?” 

“Gentlemen,” interrupted William, who showed entire ab- 
sence of fright or purturbation. “Andy, put away the experi- 
mental material and come by the house as speedily as possible. 
As for the rest of you, cotrie by the house too, and I’ll suggest 
what you’re to do. I’ll ride on ahead and by the time you get 
there I will have read my mail. I ask for this brief interval 


209 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

in order that you may be properly guided. As this is a crisis, 
every precaution is necessary.” 

'‘But what about yourself?” inquired Moses Lampkins, 
a middle-aged farmer, whose skin showed the weathering of 
many storms, whose shoulders were broad enough for any 
burden. 

“Have no fear for me,” was the prompt reply. “I can 
take care of myself, rest assured. However, should any mis- 
fortune come to me, I’ll see that there’ll be someone to guide 
you. Gentleman, I’ll see you at the house.” The motor re- 
sponded promptly, as if aware of the importance of every sec- 
ond. With equal readiness, William started on his way, smiled 
and waved adieu. 

All were astonisht, the men older than forty were dum- 
founded. Previously when a colored man was about to be as- 
saulted in their neighborhood all were cowed. The man as- 
sailed did not show signs of courage until placed at bay. To 
see one of their number calm before a brewing storm, which 
they thot would have a momentum greater than that of a cy- 
clone or hurricane, to see him smile in the midst of grave 
danger, and act almost as if nothing untoward had occurred 
to disturb the even tenor of his way, was sufficient announce- 
ment that grim night had rolled away. 

Another circumstance heralded the dawn. Formerly when 
a member of the race was being attackt, or if persons thot him 
liable, they shunned him, as if he were a contagious disease 
with power to create a fatal epidemic. On this occasion, it 
was not so. Every man was bound for an interview with the 
markt individual. No one thot of doing anything else. 

A few minutes brot William home, where he would await 
his sturdy folk. Leaving his cycle before the door, he went at 
once to his desk in a very alluring study. There with expedi- 


210 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


tion he proceeded to examine his mail. He had received four 
letters. According to his custom, he noticed the post marks 
and the chirographies before perusing the contents. The sur- 
vey revealed two letters from Williamsburg, one from Seaton, 
and the fourth from Washington, D. C. 

His attention was particularly attracted to the letter from 
Seaton, which had in the upper left corner the letters “K. K. 
K/’ and beneath them a skull and two crossed bones. With 
almost prophetic insight, he divined the contents. Uncere- 
moniously he tore it open and read the curt missive. It ran 
thus: 

Parson Bill Smith, Nigger, your days round here are num- 
bered, if you don’t leave this town within twenty-four hours. 
Be sure you make your git away quick. 

Signed in blood, 

THE KLAN. 


William smiled as he read it, and when he had finisht, he 
laught almost uproariously. It was not the laugh of merriment, 
but the laugh of fierce resolve. “I wonder what they think 
I am,” he mused. Without more ado he read the letters from 
Susan and Thelma. As he expected, they contained an inspi- 
ration. He read them twice, then said to himself, “Before 
God, in the name of these two, I resolve to do at this decisive 
moment only what is right. I hope to survive the awful trial, 
but I hope to have my honor unstained.” 

Finally he read the letter from Washington. For the first 
time that day he seemed troubled. The contents of the com- 
munication follow: 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


211 


Dr. William Smith, 

Denmark Vesey Estate, 

Seaton, 

Dear Sir: 

The fame of your endeavor has spread thruout the coun- 
try. We have studied the work for some time. As proof, you 
recall probably the visit of Dr. Francis Keats, whom we sent 
there to make a survey of the community in which you live 
as it is related to your spirited undertaking. His voluminous 
report shows that you are engaged in the proper work to make 
America safe for democracy. You have succeeded in produc- 
ing greater harmony between the races, where their members 
exist side by side in large numbers, than any one in the last 
fifty years. 

Yv e have been particularly interested in the news items and 
editorials inspired by your enterprise, articles which have ap- 
peared in the dailies and the magazines. You are a national 
character, whose name is on the lips "of all our people, not as the 
Moses, but as the Joshua to take us into the promised land. 

Finally, as you are a minister, with a tongue, veritably 
able to set worlds on fire, we feel that you should reach larger 
groups of people thruout the Nation. We learned that you 
were ousted at Williamsburg because of an address delivered 
several years ago at your convention. We have studied your 
discourse painstakingly and found ourselves in hearty accord 
with it. If you become one of us, you will have a clientele 
of fifty thousand willing listeners. The new times need a new 
gospel ; and we behold in you its chief apostle. 

We, the members of the American Democracy League, 
an organization formed to preach the new gospel of freedom, 
work, responsibility, and aggresiveness, see in you our logical 
leader, the chieftain able to carry out our great dreams. There- 


212 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OP HIS SOUL 


fore, we offer you the position of national organizer with head- 
quarters in Washington at a salary of five thousand dollars 
for the first year, after which time you will receive an increase 
of a thousand a year until you reach the maximum of twelve 
thousand. 

We are depending upon you. Answer, please, without 

delay. 

Yours respectfully, 

HENRY SLATER, Pres. 
EDGAR YOUNG, Sec. 

For a while William was in a quandary. Should he go 
to Washington for the larger work and at a later date re- 
turn to Seaton or should he offer the malefactors of race a 
firm resistance? ‘Til reply at once,” he decided. Whereupon 
he typewrote the letter in duplicate, as was his wont in busi- 
ness transactions, placed one copy in an envelope and dis- 
patched it at once. Then he placed the letters from Thelma 
and Susan in separate pigeon holes, and lowered the top of his 
desk. He had now in hand the letter from the Klan, the 
call from Washington, and his own reply. 

He placed his hands behind his head and leaned back 
in the big revolving chair in quiet meditation. He was plan- 
ning the activity of the approaching moments with great delib- 
erations. He had not been thus occupied long, when Mr. Wil- 
son knockt and informed him that all had arrived from the 
experimental plant. 

“Have them come up,” William requested. Soon the 
room was full. 

“I have three letters I want you to hear. Read them for 
me, Wilson. Take them in the order in which they occur,” 
he urged. He was interested in studying the countenances of 
the men, hence he askt Wilson as a favor to read for him. 


213 


THB IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

When the orchard specialist had finisht reading the epistle of 
threat and warning, Moses Lampkins askt, “What have you 
decided to do? What do you want us to do?” 

“Hear the other letters, then I’ll make some remarks.” As 
the letters were being read, William glanced from listener 
to listener. The expressions on their faces were most satis- 
factory. He rejoiced in silence. 

“Gentlemen, you've heard my doom,” said our great char- 
acter with a smile and a laugh, that his hearers were baffled 
to interpret. “That letter from the so-called Klan is no sur- 
prise. The South is rather peculiar, it’s perfectly willing to 
have trifling colored people to do the drudgery and all sorts 
of dirty work. Of course someone has to do it; but it could 
be so much more willingly and thoroly done, if the workers 
were specially trained for it. The South has yet to learn that 
not the ignorant, but the intelligent worker produces efficiency. 
Because of this very sentiment, as soon a colored man acquires 
a good, substantial bank account in many parts of this sec- 
tion, it is time for him to find new quarters. 

“You see already what I’ve determined to do. Now I 
want you to make your decisions. I’m glad there’s present 
at least one man from each of the farms owned by colored 
people; for we can save much time. Gentlemen, have you 
rifle3 and revolvers?” Everyone was well supplied. 

“We bought them shortly after you came here. Don’t you 
remember?” said Turner, ready for any worthy enterprise. 
His willingness to follow the great chieftain was characteristic 
of them all. “You said we might need them some day.” 

“How’s your ammunition? Do you need any? If so, let 
me supply you now,” spoke William to be doubly sure. Since 
during his presence among them, he had made constant inquiry 
along this line, they had taken pains to have ample quantities 


214 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


on hand. Renewal was necessary because of target practice 
for the rifle tournaments which our young divine held on his 
estate. Thus Rev. Smith had inspired among them an unerring 
marksmanship, important at this particular time. 

All had sufficient ammunition. “Gentlemen, this letter 
has been sent only to me. Probably you're not to be molested ; 
but once a mob has seized its victim, it does not stop there. 
It vents its passion upon others. You’re as innocent as I, yet 
they seek to do me injury. Then may they not come to you? 
Since I believe they will, this is my desire : prepare to de- 
fend your homes. Let injuries come to your property and 
your families only after you have died for them gloriously. 
Follow the spirit of that great American, Theodore Roose- 
velt, who in a speech in the coliseum of Saint Louis made 
this statement : ‘Some people have said that they would fight, 
but that they would not hit the first lick. I used to be that 
way. Now I have changed. When I see a man! about to 
strike the first blow, I hit first. Then there is no second blow 
struck. When you hit a man, always put him to sleep.’ Do 
you understand what you’re to do?” now inquired Rev. Smith. 

“I b’lieve we’ve got it, Elder,” replied Houston. “If we 
sees anybody prowlin’ round our farm, don’t wait fo’ him to 
shoot us, but we shoot first. Ain’t dat it?” 

“That’s the idea,” rejoined the young planter, glad that 
the instruction had gone home. “One further advice. If you 
have to shoot, be sure you’re barricaded within your house in 
the day and barricaded on the outside at night. I’ve already 
told you how to dispose of your families.” 

“But, Rev. Smith,” inquired the discontented Mr. Lamp- 
kins. “What are you going to do? If it had hot been for you, 
we wouldn’t had these farms. You stood by us, now 7 w-e’re 
going to stand by you.” 

“Don’t worry about me,” calmly remarkt William, who 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 215 

had in his heart longed for that spontaneous remark. He 
knew now that his experiment had been a success. “Tho the 
persons who sent me my notice are dirty scoundrels, they 
will grant me a respite. I’ve twenty-four hours in which to 
leave town. Within that time, if I had to, I believe I could 
conquer the world. My men about me will look; after the 
estate. Meanwhile I’ll transact some other business. I can 
take care of myself.” 

They disliked the idea of his going about by himself, but 
as they believed he would do nothing rash, they made them- 
selves contented and went straightway to their homes. 

When all had left the study, William came to himself after 
a pleasing reverie which closed with thots of Susan and Thel- 
ma. Suppose he had married, what a trial this day would have 
been for the young wife ! The more he reflected upon it, the 
more he became convinced that he had made no mistake by 
waiting. Of course he meant to keep his word, to marry 
within eight months. Yet he rejoiced that he was single now. 
A wife might object to some of the things he meant to do at 
this time, but as the matter stood, in all events he was sover- 
eign lord. The will of the wife he would have chosen would 
have been strong, one which would require great persuasive- 
ness to bring his way, if once she thot the best solution to his 
problem lay in a different course. Other wills now would have 
little power over him. He could go directly to his mark. 

A married man will tolerate more offenses than the single 
one. It is not that marriage makes him a coward, but he 
feels that the demands of his family require him to keep alive 
at almost any price. In this case to die is easy, but to live is 
hard. Yet if the honor of the home is attackt, tho married, 
the man promptly defends it. If he dies in the effort, he 
rests in peace. Tht question was not to live, but how to live. 


216 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


Such was William's reflection. As he was single and his 

mother well provided for, his life was in his own hands. If 
he wanted to go to Washington, objections were unimportant. 
If he preferred to stay and risk his life, it was his privilege. 

At this point he thot of writing his mother, but almost as 
speedily as the idea came, there followed the decision not to 
do so. To communicate with her would only cause worry. 
Besides she might come there and be a hindrance or expose 
herself to injury. 

What should be done would be done quickly. Within two 
days, all would be over. He would be in Williamsburg, Seaton 
or eternity. 

“Well, I’ve been here long enough. T must be about my 
Father's business,’ ” he remarkt and went to the kitchen, to 
see Mrs. Brown. He instructed her to tell Clarkston as soon 
as he arrived to see Mr. Wilson, who would tell him what to 
do until it would be time for him to go to post office for the 
next mail. Plans had to be changed to meet the crisis. He 
then folded the three letters, placed them securely in his 
pocket. Then he took from a corner his automatic rifle. 

He went directly to his range, set up a target and prac- 
ticed. As he made fifty hits out of fifty attempts at the moving 
objects he thot it unnecessary to try the fixt ones even at dif- 
ferent angles. Thereupon he lockt the targets and went back 
to the house. His cycle ready, he set the motor going and 
darted away. 

His business was to interview white farmers, who were 
indebted to him for instruction and advice. He approacht one 
after another and had them read his letters. Their atten- 
tion, however, was first drawn to the rifle he carried in his 
hand. “What would you suggest that I do?'’ askt William 
in each instance, not for advice, but merely to get the farmers’ 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


217 


point of view. The suggestions varied. All regretted the pre- 
dicament, but only a few deplored it. Accordingly some were 
non-committal, saying that he must decide for himself, others 
urged him to take the offer at Washington, trying to per- 
suade him that it was the only thing to do. 

A few, however, like Dean and Martin, insisted that he 
stay and fight the matter out. Then they told him of the meet- 
ing at Robert White’s and requested that he see Mr. Davis, 
who remained after many of the others had left. William hur- 
riedly departed from them to find this influential citizen. 

When he had gone two miles he had a blow out. This 
did not delay him long, for being prepared for all except ex- 
traordinary emergencies, he adjusted the difficulty quickly, 
and was on his way once more. Within a few minutes he 
was at Mr. Nailor’s. When he inquired he learned that Mr. 
Nailor came in late the previous night and left early that fol- 
lowing morning. 

“This is Rev. Smith, isn’t it?” inquired Mrs. Nailor. 

“Yes, this is he. I understand your husband came to my 
defense last evening in a meeting designed to work me harr*,” 
he replied very graciousl). 

“Sometimes I become so very much ashamed of my peo- 
ple,” remarkt the grand matron. “Some of them do such 
foolish, mean things. To think of Tom Howell’s reporting 
that you were going to marry one of my daughters, and you've 
never even met them ! They’ve seen you only from a distance, 
not that they would be discomforted in meeting you.” 

“Some people will do anything,” he answered. Then with 
the courtesy and grace of a prince, he bowed and askt to be 
excused. 

“You can depend upon Ted, she replied, as he bade her 


218 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


good day. “He’s going to stick by you to the last drop of his 
blood. And I hope he’ll teach those rascals a lesson. 

He then hurried along to find Mr. Davis who lived on the 
adjoining farm. No one could tell where he was. The wife 
there gave encouragement also and William was overjoyed. 
“Mrs. Davis, if I do not meet your husband, tell him I’ll be 
back this evening. Good day!” 

“I will,” she replied. Then William darted away. 

As it was just about time for a number of men to as- 
semble about Henry Mitchell’s store, he determined to go 
there, as his last stop before going to town. To his surprise 
he found his enemies absent. Approaching the storekeeper 
he said, “Mr. Mitchell, I’m in for it. You need no explana- 
tion. What do you think I should do?” 

“Kid,” he remarkt, “you’ve given me more business than 
I had in ten years. I was just about to go under when you 
came; but you stood up for the little business man, and by 
gad, I’m goin’ to see you thru. All I say is ‘Stick on the job.’ 
What do you say, fellows?” William gave him the letters to 
read, as he had the rest. 

“Mitchell, we stand by you,” they replied. 

“Men, I tell you the boy has plenty of sand. Read this 
letter, Patrick,” he said, turning to the district school teacher, 
^you’re better at it than me.” 

Thereupon, he submitted to him the following communica- 
tion: it was William’s reply to~the offer from Washington, D. 
C. 

The American Democracy League, 

Crispus Attucks Hall, 

Washington, D. C. 

Gentlemen : 

If you desire an immediate categorical response, my answer 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 219 

is I can not accept your offer. I should be happy to extend 
my influence in accordance with the plans of your organiza- 
tion, but to leave Seaton now would be abject surrender, and 
deprive me of the dignity I should bring to your exalted work. 

This morning, I received in the mail, which brot your 
kindly consideration, a notice from a Klan of these parts 
telling me to leave town within twenty-four hours at the peril 
of my life. With me, life is so insignificant in comparison 
with my privileges, that I have decided to play the fool and die. 
Not all the armies of this world, nor all that have been, and 
will be, can drive me, while I live from anything that is right- 
fully mine. 

I do not believe in stirring insurrection unless as a last 
resort; I do believe in individuals not abandoning the rights 
they have won, but defending them as long as blood courses 
thru their veins. If when this crisis is over — I dare not say 
how soon that will be — you wish to consider me for the place, 
I will be able to give you a more favorable reply. When a 
challenge like this is offered, I really accept. I must show the 
Klan that I can live here if I so desire If after that I accept 
the place, my headquarters will have to be in Seaton. 

If I survive, you will hear from me next week. If you 
do not, you will know that I have died in the South, to make 
America safe for democracy. 

Yours respectfully, 

WILLIAM SMITH. 

How astonisht were all to hear that communication! Could 
any good thing come out of Nazareth? Here was one with 
skin so black, but soul as bright and pure as sunlight. Why 
could such a man who had veritably placed Seaton on the map 
not be permitted to enjoy the fruitage of his labor? 

"I was late getting here, but was in time to hear that 


220 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


letter. Let me shake your hand. That’s the kind of 1 stuff 
we want in this country.” William turned to see the speaker. 
It was Mr. Davis and with him was Mr. Nailor. 

When he had finisht an interview with them, he started 

off. 

“Which way are you going now?” inquired Mr. Nailor. 
William replied, *Tm going to see the mayor.” He left 
without delay. 


CHAPTER XXII. 


“Those friends tliou hast, and their adoption tried, 
Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel. 


“Since my dear soul was mistress of her choice 
And could of men distinguish, her election 
Hath sealed thee for herself ; for thou hast been 
As one, in suffering all, that suffers nothing, 

A man that fortunes buffets and rewards 
Hath ta’en with equal thanks.” — Shakespeare. 

When he had reacht the edge of the town, William de- 
cided that he would walk to the mayor’s office ; he determined 
upon this as a precaution, which would permit more freedom 
for self-defense, should it be necessary for him to use his 
rifle. Thoroly familiar with the conditions of Seaton and the 
environs, he knew that white people in the country were al- 
most entirely for him or were neutral. Either they were 
going to aid him, or they were not going to oppose him. Ac- 
cordingly his enemies were chiefly in the town. The machina- 
tions of the council of six included the bringing of a mob 
from the urban throngs, he thot, to be composed chiefly of 
persons who did. not know him. How otherwise could he 
account for the scurrilous article in the “Seaton Gazette;'” 
Tho cognizant of these conditions, he would go thus far into 
the camp of the enemy. For the satisfaction of his own heart, 
for the edification of his race, for the arousal of admiration 
and respect among the reputable people of the town, Williani 
concluded that this was necessary. He must see the mayor. 

Reaching the garage and repair shop of his friend, Har- 
vey Allen, he left the motorcycle there. The entrepreneur ques- 
tioned him concerning the newspaper attack and his attitude 


221 


222 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


towards it. The planter replied, “When the enemy comes, he’ll 
receive a warm reception.” 

‘Til be there to help you entertain him,” remarked Allen. 

“I’ll be delighted to have your service.” 

At this William started upon his important mission. Per- 
sons who had not come much into his presence, casual passers- 
by, would have paid him scant attention; however, those who 
had observed him closely on other occasions, in this instance 
would have noticed a departure from the accustomed stride, 
the erect bearing, and the direct, quick pace. Our hero moved 
circumspectly with an occasional glance to the left and to the 
right. 

When he reached the Union Station, whom should he 
meet, full of smiles and captivating graces but Thelma Has- 
kell? After a brief exchange of greetings and other conven- 
tionalities, there were expressions of surprises at seeing each 
other. Of course Thelma had hoped to see him shortly aitei 
her arrival ; but she was not expecting the good fortune which 
presented itself immediately. 

“Why have you come at this particular time?” inquired 
William, as thots of his predicament thrust themselves crowd- 
ingly upon him. “I wish you had waited a while ; I fear I 
can not entertain you, as I should like.” 

“I did not come to be entertained at all. Pll look after 
that was her assurance ; I am going to return the compliment. 
You see I enjoyed myself so grandly last week, that I had to 
come again, I’m going to show you the time of your life.” 
Such were the joyous outbursts which fell upon our great 
character like hail in a summer cornfield. “But where are you 
going?” she remarkt with a sudden turn of thot. “You ap- 
pear to be on your way to a hunt.” 

“I am en route to the mayor concerning a little business. 
This morning the ‘Seaton Gazette’ published a scurrilous ar- 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 223 

tide concerning me, I cannot show it to you, as my paper is 
at the house. Furthermore, in the same mail which brot your 
letter — by the way since I think of it, you said nothing at all 
in your letter about your coming. Why don’t you let a fellow 
know your intention ? I should have had some one to meet you 
and see that you were properly cared for.” William spoke 
thus because he felt, especially at this time, that some harm 
might befall her. 

“Don’t you know by now, William, that a woman can’t 
tell a man everything? She must to some extent keep him 
guessing. Society says that the men must seek the women; 
if the man understood everything, you know he’d never run 
after her. We have to do something to keep* them coming,” 
she remarkt with unusual affability. Then realizing that there 
was yet to be obtained the information she desired, she pressed 
a question to bring him back to what certainly was of immed- 
iate interest to him. “You haven’t told me why you have 
that gun.” As he was not afraid to tell Thelma anything, he 
explained the matter in detail, likewise all that he had done 
that day as preparation for any outbreak. “Here’s the letter 
demanding that I leave within twenty-four hours,” he said with 
great emotion. 

Thelma quickly scanned its contents and then spoke with 
some degree of alarm and dismay, “What’s the matter with 
these white folks? The President has said that we are to 
help make the world safe for democracy. How can we even 
have democracy in America with such disrespect for the law 
on the part of the so-called superior race. What are you go- 
ing to do? You’re not going to leave, are you? I don’t see 
yet what you’re aiming at?” She had in her zeal for justice 
and respect for property rights become bold and defiant. “I 
know what they want and I’m ready to let them have it. I 
don’t see what you want down here tho. Why aren’t you on 


224 


THE I IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


your farm organizing your friends to resist these insults?. 
You’ve organized them for peace and they are with you. I 
saw that during the few days I was among them.” 

“I can protect myself, Thelma, I have no fear,” he affirmed 
in his effort to assure her that all would be well. She lookt 
at him a while and then became silent, charmed with his 
princely aspect. Soon the spell was broken and she was re- 
turned to the foreboding of her soul dreams. “You can pro- 
tect yourself, I agree. You can protect yourself against in- 
dividuals, man for man, and even at great odds. But you 
know the seething South as thoroly as I ; you know,” she 
spoke louder and more defiantly as she proceeded, “the cow- 
ards ; you know the black-hearted scoundrels come against 
one colored man by hundreds and thousands. So superior are 
we to that common refuse that one of us strikes such fear 
into tens of them and even fifties, that they must needs op- 
pose us in hundreds and thousands. They pay us a great 
compliment. Yet when they come, a hundred or a thousand 
against one, the chances for defeating them do not exist. 
Under these circumstances your attitude is follhardy.” 

Thelma, my ambition is to be strictly law-abiding. The 
nation is engaged in war for world democracy.” 

“For all the world except the Negro. When American 
statesmen, politicians, and scholars engage in argument con- 
cerning demrocracy, if you think they mean a democracy m 
which we are included upon equal terms with other races, 
you’re sadly mistaken ; we’re on the outside.” 

“Probably they don’t include us, but their statements are 
so far sweeping that they can not exclude us. We must be 
reckoned with. We shall enter this democracy whether they 
want us or not. The only government that will offer ages of 
peace is a democracy; it’s right, and he who seeks to stop the 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 225 

course of right is by its very momentum crusht to insignifi- \ 
cance and degeneracy. I mean to be right. I mean to uo ngnt. 

m going to perform no disloyal act. I’m going to lav tms 
matter before the mayor.” This was in accordance with his 
plans or as the soldier would say, it was a part of the day s 
work. ‘ 


“What good will that do, William?” she inquired, at the 
same time trying very arduously to see some advantage in 
that action. 

“It will probably teadi the lawless that they should not 
permit the colored man, who receives very little from the 
country, to love, honor, and respect it more than those who 
receive mainly humiliations. It may teach them to be loyal 
to America in this great crisis and not embarrass the admini- 
stration. Certainly I shall win the respect and admiration of 
white and black alike, who love the South. If I die, my death 
will be a monument to the loyalty of my people,” he spoke 
with resolution. 

“That sounds well,” remarkt Thelma, showing by the in- 
tonation of her voice that she did not approve the sacrifice. 
“I admire your stand, yet this is not what a white man would 
do under these circumstances.” Recalling his people on and 
about his estate, with whom he was almost a god, slie asKt, 
“What have you done as to the security of your friends — 
your helpers and your neighbors? You are too far-sighted 
not to be aware that this animosity will not stop with you. 
Harm will fall to your friends. Innocence should exempt a 
man from violation: but has ; t exempted you? And aren't 
you as innocent as those people? Are they not as innocent 
as you?” 

“Yes, I am. You are speaking truly,” he replied. Those 
were almost his very words. 


226 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


“Hence you owe it to these people to organize them for 
their own defense. Forsake your own estate if you will, but 
do defend these helpless toilers,” she pleaded earnestly, her 
bosom heaving as she spoke, and tears about to flow. 

“It would seem too much like an insurrection,” he re- 
marks “Yet if our country were not at war, it is the very 
thing I’d do. But if there is only one person in the Nation 
to respect the law during this awful cataclysm. I am deter- 
mined to be that one. I have advised my neighbors to defend 
their homes to the last drop of their blood. A man's home is 
his castle, and none can hold him lawless, if he kills the man 
who assaults it. I mean to have the law on my side. The 
twenty men on my estate when properly distributed in ambush, 
will be a formidable offense against any mob. Be sure I’ll take 
care of that. 

“Furthermore, do not think I shall forsake my people. If 
they have received letters of warning, if any of them has re- 
ceived one, my duty will bei in their midst, and not cn my 
estate.” 

“William,” she returned with a conviction equal to his 
own, with equal emotion and firmness, “your life is dear to 
many of us. You must not throw it away. We can not live 
always, we may die by violence, yet we should do our utmost 
to see that our assassin falls with us; your mind, I see, is 
made up, and so is mine. Good bye, I’ll see you this even- 
ing.” She started away at once. 

“Where are you going? What do you plan to do?” said 
William, calling her back. She turned and smiled with a wealth 
of love and devotion, “I’m on my way to Mrs. Johnson’s, after 
remaining there a few minutes, I’m going into the country.” 

“Don’t think of it,” he urged. “You are putting your life 


the immediate jewel of his SOUL 227 

in danger even to be in the town Really you don’t know what 
you are contemplating.” 

“I do not know?” she uttered slowly. “I do not know 
> our anger . I do not know the peril of your neighbors ? I 
dont know? Yes, I do. Consequently my business is not 
m the town but in the country. I go to help save a loyal peo- 
ple. I go to save those who suffer most and yet serve most. 
Good bye, William, I’ll see you this evening. I shall expect 
you. Remember. Good bye.” She hurried on to the home 
of the gentle lady, with whom she lodged during the previous 
week, with an air of great importance. 

William watcht her for a moment and then reflected, 
How I do admire her. She is true gold.” He went directly 
to the mayor’s office. 


While William was engaged in an interview with the chief 
city official, Thelma was busy ascertaining the preparations 
for resistance on Smith’s estate. With despatch, she saw 
both Brown and Wilson, and learned what had been 
done. Men were already on guard, with proper in- 
structions. Satisfied with this arrangement, she began at once 
what she regarded as equally essential ' for maintaining the 
peace of the entire community. “Mr. Wilson, I think that you 
are rather well protected on this estate, but what about your 
good neighbors? Here you have several natural ambuscades 
and redoubts, but what have our other kind friends? I was 
thinking that T can help them, if I can get just a little assist- 
ance from you. Since you know them all, can’t you bring 
them together at one place for me to speak to them?” 

“Miss Haskell, what would Reverend Smith say, if harm 
befell you in your effort? If I were even indirectly the cause 
of bringing you woe, I fear he would not forgive me,” was 
the sturdy affirmation. 


228 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


“I’ve talked with him in town already, and he knows I am 
determined to do something. I ask your aid merely to expe- 
dite time. If you refuse me, I’ll find these people myself and 
see that they come together. I’m resolute. If you desire sin- 
cerely to keep me unexposed to affront and injury, you will at 
least do this little.” Thus Thelma put her case tersely, for 
this was no occasion for parleying. With her it was a matter 
of life or death. And she was leaning we know towards life. 

“Give me a moment to reflect,” he said, trying to avoid too 
hasty a decision. 

“How much time do you wish,” she inquired. 

“Five m ffutes,” was the prompt answer. 

“Take them,” she rejoined with a glance that cautioned 
celerity. “As you use them remember that five minutes tardi- 
ness may be the ruin of hundreds of human lives/” 

Fie withdrew from the sitting-room and sought Brown 
who had just gone to look at the outposts. After having gone 
a hundred yards, he called. Promptly Brown appeared. When 
they had had a brief conference, Wilson speedily returned and 
found Thelma patiently waiting. “I have been following the 
seconds and the minutes, thru fear and anxiety,” she spoke 
showing the watch fastened about her wrist. “But you are on 
time with a few seconds to spare.” 

“Miss Haskell, that is a circumstance concerning which 
Dr. Smith is extremely abstemious. Thru him we have learned 
to be prompt in all our engagements,” was the proud assevera- 
tion. Then he went on, “I return to your business. Mr. Brown 
and 1 have decided to help you carry out any plan you have 
in mind for aiding our neighbors.” 

“I appreciate that so much,” she remarkt with a full flush 
of happiness. “You can not imagine how my spirit rejoices. 
Thank you, Mr. Wilson, thank you.” 


229 


the immediate jewel of his soul 

I’m happy to be at your service. Now what are your 
plans ? 

“Could the people come to this estate for about a half 
hour?” 

“That cannot be. Dr. Smith’s instructions interfere with 
that. For special reasons, which I do not care to divulge, he 
prefers that they do not come here.” 

“I know his reasons, now that you call his wish to my 
mind. But may they not meet at the school house? I want 
to speak to them assembled.” 

“That’s possible,” he replied. “That is the way out. Since 
there is no work in operation on the plantation, I’ll notify sev- 
eral who will see that the rest are there. When are they to 
assemble ?” 

“Immediatly.” 

“Come let’s be off.” He obtained his rifle and went to 
the garage to get his car. When all was ready, they sped away 
to the home nearest the school house. There he left Thelma 
in congenial company and hastened to notify the others. He 
found all the farmers on guard. When he had explained to 
them the purpose of the meeting, they set their sons or wives 
or both to the task and started for the school house. 

Within less than a half hour all expected were there, ready 
for the great undertaking. “Gentlemen,” said Mr. Wilson, 
opening the meeting, “you will recall that the lady before you 
was present during the wheat harvest. She needs no introduc- 
tion. I present to you Miss Haskell, who will give you all 
details. I ask you to excuse me now, as I must return to the 
house ; but I’ll be back as soon as Dr. Smith returns. I know 
you will want to hear what he’s been doing. Well, I’ll tell 
you then. Miss Haskell is an able young woman, strong and 
brave, a hard worker. She can give you good advice. Hear 
her. Good bye. I’ll be back shortly.” Hereupon he departed. 


230 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


“Gentlemen, American citizens/’ Thelma began, with her 
voice full of melodious sweetness. “For years many of you 
toiled and toiled, yet never forged ahead. Each planting 
season found you deeper in debt than the one which had past. 
Still you workt on, merely existing, hoping that some day 
the yoke you could not remove would be smashed by your 
children.” 

“Yes, you’re telling the truth. I never could get out of 
old Halloway’s debt until about two years ago,” remarkt one 
of the farmers, who was strongly corroborated by many others. 

“It did not, however, happen that way,” she continued. 
“It was not your children who showed you how to buy tools, 
implements and groceries, how to buy land, how to improve 
your land by its cultivation. It was not your children who 
brought you this freedom, who caused you to win the respect of 
your white neighbors. It was not at all whom you expected; 
and it came sooner than you thot. This happiness was brot to 
you by a minister, a farmer, a man of business, a gentleman — 
Rev. William Smith.” 

There followed great applause and approbation. Happy 
in the response she received, she resumed. “This friend of 
yours has been notified to leave this country within twenty- 
four hours. Tomorrow at ten o’clock he is due to be far away. 
You know, I suppose, he has decided to remain. This means 
that a mob is coming against him, as soon as knowledge 
spreads that he is here. 

“Dr. Smith has been a friend to every one of you, will 
you be a friend to him? Will you love him with the greatest 
love that can stir the human heart? ‘No greater love hath a 
man than this that he lay down his life for a friend.’ Even 
at this moment he is in the midst of his enemies exposing his 
life for yours, for your glory and that of your children. 


231 


the immediate jewel of HIS soul 

"He has done no more than you, yet he has been ordered 
to leave these accumulations of his young manhood. If inno- 
cence would not exempt him from reproach and violence, do 
not believe it will exempt you. When your leader has been 
overthrown, the mbb will come in force against you. If Rev. 
Smith survives, you shall live; if he perish, with him you fall. 
Where then is your place in this great hour; scattered like 
dandelions in a lawn, or united like the streams of the mighty 
river? She pointed to the familiar waterway in the distance. 
“Your place is on your friend’s estate under one leadership. 
You did not acquire your lovely homes until he came; will 
you be able to hold them, if he falls and dies? Let there not 
be thirty different guards, but one. I mean that all the farm- 
ers should keep in communication with one another. In this 
way, if any farm is attackt all can quickly go to its defense. 
This is how the battles are being won in Europe, this is how 
you must win yours.” 

“We’ll do what Rev. Smith suggests,” interrupted Jim 
Turner. 

“He has already suggested,” Thelma broke in, “but he is 
just neither to himself nor to you. Human life must be pro- 
tected, hence I appeal to you. Dr. Smith has not askt me to 
do this, he’s entirely unaware of my plans. He said he would 
have done this, however, had the country not been at war. He 
feels that such united resistance as I have outlined would be 
misunderstood and interpreted as a rebellion or an act of war.” 

At this point some were disconcerted, and began to won- 
der whether they should combine against the prospective foe. 
To prevent such thots having much force, the gentle visitor 
soon turned to utterances that always sway the hearer. “You 
think of hesitating? Men, you must act, for your friends, for 
your own lives. During slavery, the Supreme Court of the 


£32 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


United States gave out this decision, ‘The Negro has no rights 
which the white man is bound to respect.’ The masses of the 
"vhite people act in accordance with that statement todav. Here 
in this district you do have much respect. Why? It is be- 
cause you have wealth. If the white man does not respect 
he admire’s you. 

“If you desire even greater respect from them, earn your 
rights and be willing to die to defend them. Liberty has 
been gained by bloodshed. Do not fear to pay the price, 
you, he does respect your dollars. You are thrifty, that’s why 
white and black alike will honor you, and sing your praises 
always. Who fears to die, preferring to be enslaved, is not 
fit to live.” 

There followed shouts and acclamations. Those, who 
wavered a while ago, were now bent on pursuing a common 
aim. Let’s do something at once,” cried one. 

“Let’s go at once to the estate,” said others. 

“Gentlemen,” continued Thtlma happily, “I thot you 
would be noble. I was sure you stood for right. It may hap- 
pen that we shall not even be approacht, but I regard such 
a prospect extremely doubtful. Rev. Smith has gone to see 
the mayor. We may get the news at any moment, but we 
cannot wait, we must be prepared. Human life, I repeat, 
must be protected. If the government will not, human life 
must be protected.’ 

“How may we organize?” put in Moses Lampkins, who 
believed in expedition. 

“What man here can all follow, and obey at the slightest 
suggestion ?” she inquired to help remove the delay. 

“I can follow Jim Turner, like a chick following a hen,” 
said Lampkins. 

“I know I can,” said many others. 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


23 ; 


“Mr. Turner/’ said Thelma smiling, I appoint you leader 
of these noble men. Their lives and all their possessions are 
in your hands. Be a matchless leader.’’ Then turning to the 
throng she continued, “Gentlemen, excuse Mr. Turner a few 
minutes, I should like to talk with him individually.” The 
honored farmer promptly went to the front of the room and 
heard the fair lady. He thot of his overalls, but as a crisis 
was at hand, he had no time to stand on conventionalities. 

During their conversation Thelma and Turner planned 
the resistance: they were not to attack. They decided upon 
scouts, outposts, sentinels, and guards, also upon a line of com- 
munication. When all had been assigned they started for their 
posts. Hereupon they heard the report from the combustion 
of a motor; they knew it was Rev. Smith. He had seen the 
mayor and had returned to them. Such cheers and plaudits 
as are given kings and queens, advancing in the midst of holi- 
day throngs were showered upon the prophet of Sinai Shrine, 
the man of business. He lifted his hat in grateful acknowl- 
edgment and dismounted in front of the school house. 

“Thelma, Miss Haskell,” he remarkt upon seeing her, 
“what are you doing here?” He was uneasy about her. “It 
will soon be dark and you will have a dangerous trip to 
town, I fear.” 

“Rev. Smith,” she said. She was conventional because 
of the crowd. 

“I am preparing to protect you, to save you; if not for 
yourself, or persons in Williamsburg, at least for these people.” 
She lifted her hand to stay interuption and continued, “I don’t 
know when I shall go to town.” 

“Thelma, this must not be.” 

“William, must riot? I shall lodge at Mr. Turner’s. Isn't 
he, and his wife all right?” 


234 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


‘‘Yes, but—” 

“I belong to myself, don’t I, William?” she smiled 
“Yes, you do.” 


CHAPTER XXIII. 


As for me give me liberty of'give me death. — Patrick Henry 

The waiting room of the mayor’s office was very much 
crowded when William arrived to have his interview. Accord- 
ing to the custom, he trailed the line and waited his turn. The 
other visitors who were all white first noticed the rifle, then 
the khaki, and finally his complexion. Here they lingered 
long, for they wondered why a colored man would come thus 
accountered into the office of the chief magistrate of that 
town, only to change their appraisement, when they beheld his 
portly bearing and pleasant demeanor. William took out a 
note book and began to write, while they continued to steal 
occasional glances. He appeared wholly absorbed in his work, 
but he never failed for a minute to take circumspect glimpses 
of his enforced companions. 

The visitors gradually were successful in their business 
and speedily left for the next tasks. William soon began to 
feel that the office would close, before he could discharge his 
mission. He kept noticing the clock and comparing it with 
his watch, apprehensive lest one chronometer would deceive 
him. The whistle sounded for the close of civic work and 
brot him to his feet. All had seen the mayor except two who 
were ahead of him, two elderly gentlemen, and himself. Tho 
somewhat disturbed, he waited with his accustomed patience. 
Then the idea flasht upon him that he was not making the 
most of his time. Many details of his venture or of his con- 
templated resistance could be workt out. To this meditation, 
with stolen glances at the other persons in the waiting room, 

235 


236 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

our brave character proceeded at once to apply himself. Sure 
that his prospective assailants meant business and that there 
could be no sparring for time, he thrust book and pencil into 
his pocket, and began to think of devices for getting an inter- 
view before sundown. 

While William was thus anxious, the messenger came 
into the sitting room and said, “The office is closed. Only 
those in the sitting room will be heard.” William sat down 
and resumed his writing. 

How calm a man may become when he knows a life strug- 
gle is before him! How undisturbed is an intelligent soul 
when brot to bay! We sometimes feel too proud to fight, 
thinking that in so doing we stoop to baseness. We believe 
at times that it is wrong for individual or state to force a man 
to exchange time for eternity. We decry war, violence, and 
rapine, and look for the ages of peace. And to be consistent, 
we censure the taking of human life for any crime. Yet 
when a fray is forced upon us, when we regard it ignoble to 
flee, we fight and kill. Is this right? Shall it become the 
universal law? As long as it is sweet and noble to die for 
one’s country, it is stately to die for one’s honor. 

Such was William’s reflection just before facing the 
mayor, a rather chubby man of forty-seven, slightly grizzled, 
and adorned with horned spectacles. He placed himself back 
in his chair, scrutinized the dignified visitor, and then offered 
him a seat near his desk. “This is Rev. Smith, I’m sure. Make 
yourself at home.” Did the speaker mean that? Was he not 
after all an exalted instrument in the hands of unscrupulous 
people? William sat down. “What can I do for you?” came 
a customary question. 

“I don’t know, Mayor Goodrich. You can better answer 
that question yourself, after I have explained my business,” 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 237 

replied William smiling. He placed his gun across his knee 
and handed the magistrate the letter from 1 the Klan. “Read 
that, please/’ he requested. The mayor read. When he had 
finisht William presented the letter from Washington, which 
he followed with his reply. Mr. Goodrich ruminated, after 
having perused the epistles, and waived for William to break 
the silence. He did not wait long. “I came to you, Mayor 
Goodrich, because I love this town, the Nation, and my peo- 
ple. As this is a very serious consideration, one which may 
not only disgrace your administration and the town, but even 
humiliate the Nation, I came to you with all possible facts, 
that you may act wisely and quickly. What are you going 
to do, Mr. Goodrich? What do you suggest that I do?” 

The mayor aswered hesitatingly, “Dr. Smith, I don’t see 
much that I can do. I can have the governor call the m'ilitia, 
but what good would that do? Instead of firing upon the 
mob, they’d aid it, either by joining it or by depriving your 
colored brothers of their weapons and then leave them to the 
mob. You recall what the papers stated concerning East St. 
Louis. That militia is typical of the South.” 

“Mayor, I know,” said William, agreeing with the magis- 
trate, “that the black man has practically no protection in the 
South, and very little in many other parts of this great Na- 
tion. That is why I have this rifle. Tho the constitution 
grants me paper protection, I cannot trust my life to it. Be- 
fore Almighty God, I wish I could ! But I must protect my- 
self. The colored man who does not protect himself is dead 
already. You see I do not ask for protection, because I 
know in advance I can’t get it.” 

“However, let nothing rash be done,” put in the mayor, 
trying to use diplomacy. “Your people are loyal, I know you 


238 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF IIIS SOUL 

are loyal. Fve watched your coming here, your influence 
among white and black, and your development of industry 
here. Fve gone so far as to suggest that a group of the best 
citizens give you the same token of appreciation. Now that 
this trouble has risen, I thot out a possible solution. Why 
not accept the offer coming from Washington? Furthermore, I 
have a large estate in Tennessee, which Fd like for you to 
develop. Fll offer you ten thousand dollars cash as the gift 
of the townsmen, of course it’s not as yet subscribed. Fll give 
you a large farm from my Tennessee estate and pay you two 
thousand a year to do there the work you’ve done here. It 
would be well for you to leave now and return later on. After 
several years, all would be adjusted. Here are two offers. 
Surely for the sake of the Nation, you’ll go.” 

“Mr. Goodrich, permit me to relate two incidents,” came 
the calm response,” and then Fll give you my decision. Have 
I leave?” 

“Yes, go on.” 

“At Ebbit Seminary, in Kelston was a very learned, col- 
ored man, Dr. Kemper, its president. The school he admin- 
istered was located in the far South, where our people live in 
great numbers. Some misfortune caused a mob to come 
against the school and fire thru the windows. As this gentle- 
man was a minister, his first thot was to seek divine aid. He 
despatched a messenger to the governor, asking for troops, 
and had the chapel bell rung for the gathering of the students 
in extraordinary assembly. As they came together in the 
chapel, the pistols without — in the language of the president — 
continued to bark like dogs. So well do I recall this, for I 
heard him relate it in a church in Saint Louis. Not to di- 
gress, I conclude. This great educator had those seven hun- 
dred students kneel in prayer. He himself led the petition. 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 239 

While still engaged in that service, a message came from the 
governor that troops would soon be upon the scene, with 
ammunition and a gatling gun. The troops came in time and 
the mob did not storm the buildings. President Kemper men- 
tioned this in a very important speech to prove that when in 
danger we should pray. He offered it as proof that prayers 
are answered on time.” 

“That is a rare incident,” remarkt the governor. “It is 
very interesting ; now mention the other.” 

“As you say,” William went on, “a rare incident. Such 
happens in this country only in one case out of ten thousand. 

“The other incident,” he continued, “is like the first in 
many respects, but yet it has fundamental differences. Ken- 
dell Seminary at Harmony had at its head Dr. Wade, who 
was also a Christian minister. His school has the unique dis- 
tinction of rejecting the offer of $75,000 for the building of a 
school for colored youth, because the donor, the Home Mis- 
sionary Society, wanted to control its policy. It returned the 
money with interest. Today President Wade operates that 
Seminary which is controlled and supported solely by colored 
people. It is indeed our greatest monument of l^Iegro self- 
help. 

“Let’s return, however, to the incident. One class in 
preparing to produce the ‘H. M. S. Pinafore/ found it neces- 
sary to have special rehearsals for the principals. To expedite 
the opera, the professor in charge had the leading characters 
to rehearse in town at the home of the professor of music. 
The Seminary was located just outside the city limits. 

“One evening, when the boys and girls were returning 
from such a rehearsal, three white ruffians accosted and con- 
fronted them. One of them pulled at one of our girls and in- 
sinuated, ‘You’re a fine lookin’ nigger gal. You’ll do me.’ As 
he tried to kiss her, the captain of the football team, a strong, 


240 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


robust individual, struck the scoundrel in the jaw, broke the 
bone, and felled him to the ground. 

“The other ruffians came to the rescue, but were rebuffed 
by our gallant, young men. 

“The professor, a man of a very heated disposition, said, 
‘It’s well I left my pistol behind ; for I surely would have shot 
every one of them, the dirty dogs.’ He would have done it. 
Turning to the young ladies, he resumed, ‘We’ll take the mat- 
ter before Dr. Wade, he’ll adjust it.’ 

“As the incident occurred at the foot of the hill on which 
the school stood, it was not long before all reacht the dormi- 
tories. As they climbed the hill, one of the culprits remarkt, 
‘We’re going to bring all cotton town against you.’ 

“ ‘Let them come on,’ went back an answer. 

“As soon as President Wade learned what had occurred he 
called the girls and boys into the chapel. This minister was 
just as conservative about his doctrine as Dr. Kemper. When 
all had assembled, he explained the situation and said, ‘Boys, 
our girls have been insulted. What shall we do?’ 

“Ohe promptly arose and declared, ‘Dr. Wade, there’s 
only one thing to do — defend them and die for them. What 
do you say, boys/ 

“ ‘Die for them/ was the unanimous acclamation. 

“‘Girls/ the president continued, ‘we cannot assure you 
that you will live to see tomorrow/ Many were weeping bit- 
terly. This, however, was no interference. ‘We cannot 
vouchsafe you even your honor. There may be some base 
enough to violate your chastity. We do, however, guarantee 
this, that if even a hair on your head is troubled, it will be over 
our dead bodies. So go to your rooms and take your ease/ ” 

The girls promptly withdrew. 

“One rule of the school was that firearms were not to 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 241 

be kept in the dormitories. Yet the President askt if there 
were pistols or rifles about. He received an affirmative an- 
swer. Whereupon, he askt them to bring arms and ample am- 
munition to the chapel. Never before had I seen such an 
array of fire arms among my people. There were automatic 
colts, Smith and Wesson 32’s, many shot guns and Win- 
chesters. When it appeared that all had returned, Dr. Wade 
himself came in with seven Winchesters, which he distributed 
among the male members of the Faculty. Then he sent a stu- 
dent to his home for his own rifle, saying, 'Take this note 
to Mrs. Wade and tell her I’ll not return until late, probably 
till morning.’ Thereupon addressing himself to those ambitous 
young men, he continued, T’m going to instruct the professors 
as to how to repulse any manuever. You are to obey them 
without questioning. Most of you are to remain without arms ; 
these are the only ones to leave the school grounds. They 
will watch the movements of the evening and form our first 
line of communication. Boys, this is dangerous work, yet our 
effort is valueless without it. I cannot, therefore assign it, I 
must call for volunteers.’ 

“Every youth volunteered boisterously, I want to be a 
scout.” 

“I’m glad of this unanimous response. I know now we 
shall succeed. Promptly, scouts were selected and dispatched 
to perform their work. Then the teachers were posted as 
captains. They posted their groups about the campus, so as 
to cover every approach, and awaited the attack of those who 
threatened. 

“The night this occurred, the stars were faintly shining in 
the refulgent glow of a luxurious moonlight. Shadows of 
trees and houses— in short, all objects in the landscape were 
strongly visible. 


242 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


“An hour after the school force had been on watch, the 
scouts sent back word that a hoard of about three hundred 
men were coming from Cotton Town.” Cotton Town was 
the seat of a cotton factory, surrounded by the frame dwell- 
ings of the workers. It lay about half a mile from the school 
limits. 

“When a hundred and fifty yards from the campus, one 
of the gang shouted, ‘We're coming, Niggers, say your last 
prayers/ ” 

“ ‘Come on/ went a robust answer, Sve can take all you 
can give, and pay you back with interest/ Our scouts were 
called in and armed. Thus we awaited them. 

“ ‘Remember,’ came as the President’s final advice, ‘since 
we have a good number and most of you are in ambush, let 
the enemy fire the first shot. If they unload a weapon, fol- 
low your professor’s commands quickly,’ and there muzzles 
flasht outrageously in the quiet moonlight. The leaders came 
within twenty-five yards and started at the glare of those 
rifles, ready for blood. The one, who apparently was chief, 
called ten together for a conference, then messages were sent 
thru the ranks. This was followed by a retreat to their homes, 
with yelling and cursing. 

“Mayor Goodrich, this happened eight years ago. The 
school still stands as a monument to Negro Self-Help, Negro 
Courage, and Negro Manhood.” 

“That is interesting, I suppose I had to listen as the Wed- 
ding Guest to the voyage of the Ancient Mariner. But what 
is the point of the incidents?” he parried, fully aware of the 
purport of it all. 

“I promised, when I had related those stories to tell you 
my decision concerning your offer.” William spoke rapidly 
now, tho not so rapidly as passed the currents of his emo- 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


243 


tion. “I mention the deeds of those men to point out the 
attitudes of my people. Dr. Kemper represents the manner of 
the new Negro. In the New South which is at hand the old 
Negro is a misfit. You cannot have a democratic South until 
this new Negro represents the majority of his race. ‘The old 
order changeth, giving place to new, and God fulfills himself in 
many ways, lest one good custom should corrupt the world.’ 

“Mayor, I had thot of marrying sometime ago. I was 
sure that I would have been married by this time. I should 
have been married by this time. Now I don’t know if I’ll 
ever marry. I’ll give my life for democracy here. I’ll give 
my life for my race. I’ve scented blood, my fighting spirit 
is on fire. Mayor Goodrich, Mayor Goodrich, down in your 
heart do you really think I ought to go?” 

“Certainly, because it will save trouble.” 

“Who made this trouble?” 

“In a way you did, Rev. Smith, by taking hold of the 
affairs of the farmers.” 

“The man who stops robbers, who sees that workers are 
not only worthy of their hire, but actually gets it causes 
trouble?” 

“You know those stock jobbers are envious of a colored 
man’s rising to wealth and power. Probably after the educa- 
tion of a few years, this violence will cease/” 

“More and more, Mr. Goodrich, I believe that this is not 
solely a white man’s problem. If every colored community 
would take the stand of Kendall Seminary, the problem would 
be solved over night. Those ruffians who vaunt and prowl 
like fiends infernal do so only because they are sure that their 
lives are secure. I do not believe in insurrections. As evi- 
dence of this, I call to witness my neighbors whom I sent to 


244 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


defend their own homes. My estate will be defended only 
by those who resided there. 

“I have already mailed my reply to Washington. Your 
offer, too, I must reject. It you were to offer me the whole 
of South America, and India, and Africa — if such were yours 
to give — I'd 1 have to refuse them. I must stay. I’ll sell a 
farm, I’ll sell a horse, a house, an automobile or the like; but 
Mr. Goodrich, ‘none will barter the immediate jewel of his ' 
soul.’ I’d sell my life for fifty cents a day, if it would ben-i 
efit humanity. But worlds on top of worlds cannot offer me 
the price of liberty. 

“I workt for the farmer, didn’t I?” inquired William! 
The mayor nodded assent. “I purchased from honest toil those j 
buildings and implements I use. Nobody in Seaton gave me* 
one cent. That farm represents my life’s blood. The land was! 
honestly got, the buildings were honestly erected. The title ; 
to all is clear, isn’t it, Mayor Goodrich?” 

“Assuredly,” the magistrate admitted faintly. “They are 
yours, so they are duly recorded.” 

“No man, Mr. Mayor, has ever been able to run me from ! 
what was mine. My reputation and honor cannot go down! 
now. I have not had the proud privilege of going to France 
to die for world democracy, but I do have the privilege-' of 
falling for it in America. I have spent some rather joyous 
days with books and young Avomen ; but never have I rejoiced 
as I do now. The opportunity has come for me to die not in 
France, but in America, to help make America safe for dem-j 
ocracy. This is the happiest moment of my life. 

“You need not offer me any protection. I have but one re- j 
quest: Tell your friends. I’ll kill every man who sets foot on 
my estate after sundown.” 

The mayor lookt in amazement at this man, this black man, 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


245 


comely and self-possest. Tho desiring no harm to come to 
his fellow townsmen, he could not help admiring this attitude. 

“Good day,” said the mayor, shaking his hand, “I hope 
all will be well.” 

“Good bye,” said William, “I may die, but not in dishonor. 
I will not sell the immediate jewel of my soul.” 


CHAPTER XXIV. 


Ask and it shall be given you ; seek and ye shall find ; 
knock and it shall be opened unto you. Mat. 7 : 7 

Behold he prayeth. — 9: 11. Men ought always pray. 

—Luke 18 : 1 

We shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just 
God who presides over the destinies of nations ; and who 
will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. — Patrick 
Henry. 

The morning following William's call upon the mayor, 
just before sunrise, the colored people who lived upon farms 
bordering on our hero’s estate or who had been directly in- 
fluenced by his operations, started for the home of Wendell 
Hill, to hold a prayer meeting. Men, women, children — all 
assembled. The work of the previous evening was almost un- 
done, for there was not aman at his post. 

Believing every detail would be well carried out, Thelma 
finally went to sleep at a very late hour. She deemd it proper 
to seize a few hours rest, as she might have to stay on her 
feet forty-eight hours or more, after the dawning of the next 
day. She wanted to have a maximum of energy, for she knew 
she had much work to do. 

Tho the watch was faithfully kept during the night, yet } 
every man had been able to get about three hours’ rest. This \ 
happened because of the careful arrangement and alternation 
of the guard. Long after our lady had gone to sleep, how- 1 
ever, the idea occurred to Hill, a man of unusual religious 
persuasion, that before entering upon any serious undertak- 


246 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 247 

ing, there should be prayer. His mistake was not in having 
prayer, but in having a prayer meeting in a crisis and leaving 
all the possessions of these people exposed to an unrelenting 
foe. Thinking that the lady from the city was accustomed to 
rising late, like other townspeople who had visited her, Mrs. 
Turner had not informed Thelma what was about to occur, 
but left her undisturbed. 

She hurried to the assembling place, because she dearly 
enjoyed prayer meetings. Others were just as interested as 
she. So many came, that the leaders were at a loss where to 
place them. They finally left the matter with the people. 

As the front room would not hold all the guests, many 
assembled on the outside — all firmly bent on serving their God, 
whether they were within or without. No unusual prepara- 
tions had been made to appear in one's finest, everyone wore 
working attire. As they tript along chatring and smiling, one 
would not have thot a storm was rapidly sweeping on. 

Wendell Hill opened the meeting by saying, “Trouble is 
brewing. The devil is mighty busy, but God can make him 
stay in his place.” 

“Amen, amen,” burst forth vociferously from many 

mouths. 

“It never hurts a man to take God with him, for God’s 
a Captain that never loses a battle,” continued Hill swaying 
the throng. 

“No, he don’t. Talk on, Hill,” said one of the women. 
Hill would not wax eloquent, he merely said, “We’ll open 
the meeting with scripture.” He read as follows, from the 
tenth chapter of Matthew. “Behold, I send you forth as sheep 
in the midst of wolves; be ye therefore wise as serpents, and 
harmless as doves. But beware of men : for they will deliver 
you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their 


248 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


synagoguges And the brother shall deliver up 

the brother to death, and the father the child: and the chil- 
dren shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be 
put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s' 

sake ; but he that endureth to the end shall be saved 

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to : 
kill the soul ; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both 

soul anc[ body in hell Think not that I am come i 

to send peace on earth : I came not to send peace, but a sword. 
For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, i 
and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a 

man’s foes shall be those of his very household He 

that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life 
for my sake shall find it.” 

As Hill read, the faces showed various states of emotion — 1 
anxiety, doubt, consternation. It was difficult for some to be- | 
lieve the passages were genuine. The doubt, however, was | 
very evanescent, for when each recalled that Hill was their \ 
greatest Bible student, that he was most fervent in his reli- ; 
gious zeal, and of unquestioned integrity, they speedily changed 
their minds. When the enthusiast began to utter the opening 
prayer and gave his fertile imagination free play, all doubts 
subsided. Jesus was Christ, and God was Lord of all. 

Turner then began to sing, “I want to Be Ready to Walk 
in Jerusalem just like John.” Then followed rhytmic hand 
clapping, cadenced to the time of the sound. There was like- | 
wise a patting of feet to reinforce the joyful emotion, slight 
at first but later more vigorous as the leader became more en- 
thusiastic. Prayer followed prayer with hopes that God would 
intervene to prevent the spilling of blood. Then came the 
son?, “Come on. Let's go to the Camp Meeting.” This was h 
followed by a number of songs, “Pm Going to Live and Never 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


249 


Die,” “Little David, Play on Your Harp,” “Honor, Honor, My 
Lord.” When these were sung the people marcht and shouted, 
the leader of the song performing many antics, waving his 
right hand as if a choir master, stooping low, and at times 
leaning back with his hands to his mouth, as if making a speak- 
ing trumpet. He would walk from group to group, waving 
his hand as if trying to draw forth more powerful sounds 
from those who seemed to let up from the exahustion of 
marching or shouting. Then he would place his left hand on 
his jaw, bend his head to one side and holler or shriek. 
These gesticulations kept the spirit alive. 

In the thralldom of this deep religious emotion, with 
cares all dispelled, who thot of Thelma? ‘The kingdom of 
heaven was at hand/ Sorrow and sighing had past away. 

In the zephyrs of the morning Thelma peaceably slept 
on, unaware of any plan miscarried. That night somehow, 
she could not understand, she had had an unusual dream. She 
saw a hare dart out of a copse and run toward a pack of 
hounds, which turned from pursuit of a fox to chase this 
bold little creature. Soon appeared the hunters in fine breeches 
on fiery horses at great speed. Seeing that hunt had 
changed, they checked their pace and hallowed to the hounds to 
retake the scent. The dogs quickly responded, bounding once 
more for their original prey ; but both hare and fox escaped. 

When our fair lady awoke, she found herself very much 
fatigued, she seemed sleepier than ever, and pondered on re- 
maining there longer for another doze. This, however, was 
only a first thot. She sat up in bed, musing; then she lookt 
about the room. The sun was well up, as she discovered from 
the heat and light forcing their way thru the windows. Her 
attention was now attracted to sweet, harmonious strains joy- 
fully rising in the distance. What could it be? She listened 
more closely. Where could it be? The'words were entirely 


:-50 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

inaudible, tho the tones were rather distinct. At last came 
one conviction ; the singing was from the colored farmers ; for 
white people did not sing that way. She was eventually re- 
minded, by the minor strains, of the Fisk Jubilee Singers: for 
she recognized some of the songs those minstrels were wont 
to sing: “I’m Gwine to Tine de Great ’Sociation,” “I Couldn’t 
hear Nebdy Pray,” “Go Down, Moses.” 

She sprang from the bed, happy as a lark, fresh as the 
dew at early morning. She quickly proceeded to arrange her 
toilet. While engaged in this, she heard a vigorous knock- 
ing. Thinking that it was only the morning call, she shouted, 
“Mrs. Turner, I’m up.” As the knocking did not cease, Thel- 
ma observed with greater interest. The sounds did not come 
from the bedroom door, as she first surmised, but from that 
room next the kitchen. Upon opening her window and looking 
down she saw Andy Clarkston and at a little distance from him 
a motorcycle. 

“Do you know where Mr. Turner is? Or do you know 
where I can find his wife, to learn where he is 1 . I have a let- 
ter for him from Rev. Smith which I must give him in per- 
son.” Such was the inquiry of Andy, who showed signs of 
eagnerness to execute his business and return to the estate 
without delay. 

“What, are the folks out?” remarkt Thelma with great 
surprise. “Where can they be? What are they doing? 
What do they mean by leaving me alone? How long have 
you been there?” were her incoherent utterances. 

Andy paused awhile wondering which questions to answer, 
but eventually solved the dilemma by responding to her last. 
“I suppose I’ve been here about three minutes. We both seem 
to be in the same situation. You, as well as I, wonder where 
are the folks. I had expected to see somebody on guard. Of 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OP HIS SOUL 251 

course the estate is well cared for ; but if the other people are 
defending their farms, it is being done by the old grand- 
mothers. That means that there is practically no protection 
at all.” 

Thelma immediately showed signs of anger. For a while 
she was silent, for the thots that thrust themselves upon her 
at the very instant would have been uttered but ineffectually 
due to the absence of those who should hear them. “Mr. 
Clarkston, can you wait for me a few minutes without arous- 
ing the ill feeling of Rev. Smith.” 

“Miss Haskell, I could wait a life time,” he replied bash- 
fully. “To stop for others would displease him, but to re- 
main for your sake I’m sure will give him hours of ecstacy.” 

Thelma blusht and said, “Excuse me then, I’ll be back 
within five minutes.” She hurried to the task. As soon as 
she reacht the landing she heard strains of “Camp Meeting ir\ 
the Wilderness.” “The people must be there,” she thot. She 
returned at once to the window and said, “Those people I vow* 
are holding a prayer meeting during these perilous moments. 
Mr. Clarkston, do you hear that singing?” 

“Yes,” he said, “it seems as tho it’s in the direction of 
Wendell Hill’s. You know he is strong for his religion in sea- 
son and out of season. The truth is, it should always be in 
season. Yet there’s more ways to serve God than one, one 
need not pray all the time.” 

“I dislike to detain you from your errand,” she inter- 
rupted, “but those people must come back on guard.” She 
wondered why she returned to the window. She had become 
greatly disturbed. 

“By the* way,” broke in Andy, “Rev. Smith told me to 
say to you, not to worry the neighbors about him, that he’s 
well protected. And so he is.” 


252 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

“Tell him, I understand. I appreciate your kindness ex- 
tremely,” she smiled. And Clarkson felt happy in her sunshine. 
“I want you to direct me to Mr. Hill’s just the same. I’ll be 
with you presently,” she spoke and left the window. On this 
occasion there was no chance for finesse. 

Within three minutes she returned ready for the day’s 
work, even tho she had not dined. Andy wondered what to 
do with the cycle. Seeing the difficulty, Thelma said, “You 
may go on ; I’ll find the place. Just give me the directions.” 

“I'll take you to the place where you will have a straight 
road to the house. Then I’ll go rapidly on. So quickly will 
I attend to this business, that I shall seem not to have lost any 
time.” 

“You’re quite obliging, Mr. Clarkston,” Thelma smiled 
again. 

Andy was almost frantic with joy. “Don’t mention it. 
Miss Haskell, don’t mention it,” he said with great embarrass- 
ment. “The honor is all yours.” He took her to the main 
road. So Thelma found the place easily. 

\ As soon as he had left the tender visitor, Andy hastened 
to his motorcycle which contrary to his apprehensions was 
in front of Turner’s door unharmed. Almost in a twinkling, 
he had started the motor and sped away. He reacht Hill’s 
house at least ten minutes before Thelma. Calling Turner 
aside he delivered the letter : 

“Wait a moment for an answer,” said Mr. Turner. 

“Rev. Smith said, 'You need not wait for a reply.’ ” He 
mounted the cycle and in an instant was out of sight. 

Turner read the letter at once. It expressed disapproval 
of any combining of all the people, urging again that each go 
to his own home and defend it. What was he to do? What 
were the others to do? They had given their word to a great 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


253 


lady that they would unite to oppose a common foe. Could 
they not be mistaken? Was there a common loe? Nobody 
had come against them yet. 

Turner went back to the meeting and, as soon as possible, 
prayed emphasizing this utterance, “They that use the sword, 
shall perish by the sword.” Several other prayers followed to 
the same effect. The sentiment was prevailing that God would 
fight their battles for them. 

At the door now stood Thelma, listening to it all, at the 
same time trying to devise a means of addressing the people. 
Unwilling to disturb the solemnity of their worship — for. she 
respected with great reverence the sacred heritage of her peo- 
ple — she determined not to lose her temper. For she knew that 
once her impetuosity held sway, she would violently disperse 
the throng. Such an act would only teem with evil conse- 
quences ; it would destroy at once all her popularity and make 
her organization of the people absolutely of non-effect. 

She thot of getting word to Turner or Hill. This strate- 
gem would have been easy, if singing had been on; but the 
people were engaged in a chain of prayers. As soon as one 
finisht, another began. In this way much enthusiasm was kept 
sustained. There was only one way — it was to be a link in 
the chain. After there had been uttered several other prayers 
damaging to her plans, Thelma was able to intervene. She 
might have interrupted earlier; but she wanted it to be don<- 
smoothly, with reverence and perfect accord. There was no 
delay in grasping this sort of opportunity. 

Thelma had not prayed in public for some time. This 
was one of the first thots to come before her. She knew that, 
even in praying, practice makes perfect; if one wants to be 
coherent, fervent, and sincere without vain repetitions. It was 
useless to engage in extended hesitations. W illiam s safety 


254 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

n 

the safety of the man she loved — was in jeopardy, the safety 

of all those people attending that meeting, whom she now con* 
sidered warring against themselves, was at stake. Above all, 
the honor of a loyal race and a grand republic was endangered. 

Most important now, a courageous stand by these very 
people would save everything. 

"Our bather,” she began, somewhat bashfully, but yet 
firmly, “who has been our dwelling place thru all genera- 
tions, help us in this dreadful hour.” Heads began to take an 
erect position and look for the tender voice — somewhat fa- 
miliar and yet rather strange. This did not last long, for with 
the remaining thot that they were worshipping Their Maker, 
the accustomed reverence again prevailed. “Father, I pray for 
these people here assembled, I pray for the young man who 
has greatly helped this community, I pray for the good white 
people of these parts, I pray for the scoundrels who despite- 
fullv use us, asking Thee to give us sufficient sense, not to let 
them despitefully use us any more. 

“Father, I pray for this Nation — indeed a great land, a 
land which will be greater if we use Thy word and fight Thy 
battles.” 

“Amen, amen,” came from many hearts, “Pray on, sis- 
ter!” 

One brother said, “Father, Those who use the sword 
shall die by the sword.” 

“But, Father, Father, Father, Oh Father,” she pleaded, 
“haven’t some used the sword, and lived? Did not thy aveng- 
ing angel use the sword on Sennachrib’s host of a hundred 
and eighty-five thousand men? Didn’t Abraham use the sword 
to drive away the enemy that captured Lot. Didn’t David 
use the sword on Goliath? How did Joshua take the chil- 
dren of Israel into Canaan except by the sword. Didn’t George 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


255 


Washington use the sword and become the first president of 
this great Nation ?” 

“Yes, he did, he did, pray on, sister,’’ were the loud 
acclaims. 

“Father, Almighty Father, did your Son not say, 'Who- 
soever shall save his life shall lose his life; and whosoever 
shall lose his life shall find it?” 

The people at once thot of the scripture that opened the 
meeting. They especially remembered this passage because 
Wendell Hill had given it emphasis. “Amen, she is telling 
truth,” came a response. 

“Now, Father, just, hear me this time,” she continued. 
“For if you deny me now, I’ll find death tomorrow. A prince 
has come to this community like unto Christ; he has given not 
his worst, but his best. And as the culprits did unto Christ, 
so would some do to this kind man — kill him for his goodness. 
Father, is this to be? He’d give his life for them, for any 
one of them! Will they not do as much for him? Father, I 
know they will. They are going back on guard right now. 
Father, I thank thee for answering my prayer. Amen.” 

Before anyone could utter a word, Thelma said, “Men 
return to your posts, maintain the same line of communica- 
tion even unto the home of Rev. Smith. Let the women and 
children go on at once accompanied by the advanced guard.” 
All were surprised. Thots of the approaching danger seized 
them. The meeting had served one good purpose anyhow; 
most- of the r^rtici pants were ready to die. Few were going to 
tarry now. All must act with initiative and speed. The men 
designated aware of this took up their weapons at once and 
went to the defense. Thelma spoke with the authority of a 
general ; her suggestions carried. “Mothers,” she said as they 
started away, “remember your children. You experienced the 


256 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


throes of death that they might have life. Have no fear ot 
another. Defend your children with those weapons you pos- 
sess. You know how, I believe, better than I.” 

When they had gone Thelma remarkt, “Gentlemen, gen- 
tlemen, M she spoke curiously, that they considered themselves 
undeserving that distinction. 

“I know you are ashamed of yourselves. Aren’t you?” 
she inquired. 

“Ashamed to serve the Lord?” put in Hill. 

“Ashamed to serve the Devil,” she replied. “Ask your- 
selves this question, ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ If you let 
those dirty scoundrels harm a hair on the head of Rev. Smith, 
you’re betraying the race. Don’t think that they’ll stop with 
him, they won’t. When he’s out of the way, You Are Next. 
If you let scoundrels harm innocent men, you’re not serving 
the Lord, you’re serving the Devil ; and you’re as guilty as 
they. If you compel them to be good, not to harm the little 
ones of God, great is your reward here and in heaven. If 
you don’t do this, thus offending God — you get no reward 
either here or there. 

“Do you know what happened this morning? No, you 
don’t. Mr. Clarkston didn’t stop to tell you. As he started 
from the post office, having taken the mail from Rev. Smith’s 
private box, he noticed several groups of white men whisper- 
ing clandestinely. These men, mostly scoundreds and ruffians, 
were approacht by some individuals you know well: Tom 
Howell, Robert White, and Sandy James. One group was in 
the post office. While Mr. Clarkston was there several indi- 
viduals came in and went out, without attracting their attention 
in the least. When our friend passed, however, they recog- 
nized him and thinking that he must have overheard a part 
of their conversation they called, ‘Nigger, come here. Where 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 257 

you going. What you’re doing down here so early anyhow ?’ 

“Mr. Clarkston had started his motor and was enroute 
speedily for Rev. Smith’s estate. They called several times. 
Tf you don’t stop, you’re a goner.’ Our gallant young man 
paid no heed. They fired several shots at him, but none hit 
the mark. He was soon out of range.” 

Mr. Turner then began, “All the men should know this. 
Well, we’ll see that they get it. They will be ready then for 
anything.” 

“How you feel about it, men,” he inquired of those pres- 
ent. 

“Just fine,” remarkt one, “I see now why Dr. Smith had 
those shooting matches. Men, let’s not stay here, let’s do our 
duty.” 

“Do your duty, don’t let all the democracy be in Europe. 
Let’s bring some to America,” Thelma smiled. 


CHAPTER XXV. 


•‘There comes a time when the souls of human beings, 
women more even than men, begin to faint for the atmos- 
phere of the affections they are made to breathe. — Holmes 

With all determined to resist the enemy if they were op- 
posed, the majority were stationed near William’s estate. That 
thy might aid him and not be killed thru avoidable mishap. 
Turner seized the opportunity of intense enthusiasm and went 
to the estate, leaving Miss Haskell as a sort of generalissimo. 
He was somewhat uncertain as to finding William readily, for 
he was confident that his friend would not keep in prison. 
This fear, however, was soon dispelled. He found the dis- 
tinguisht gentleman, at his desk, busy with papers as if noth- 
ing extraordinary had occurred. 

Observing who had come, William laid aside the papers 
and heartily greeted his dear neighbor. So suddenly had he 
turned from his task that he was somewhat uncertain where 
to begin. He wanted to know first of all of the security of 
the people. Were they on guard or were they trusting to 
chance? Where was Thelma? What could she be doing? 
Yet his concern for her was less than that for his neighbors, 
as he was sure of her being sufficiently spirited and equipoised 
to conquer any situation. The thots of her, therefore, can- 
not be construed as solicitude, but a curiosity born of a deep 
admiration for her supreme adaptability to the crisis. 

A few minutes past in attention to a plan to operate a 
community store; then they returned to the matter of most 
importance 

258 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


259 


Mr. Turner, at length began Rev. Smith after many 
moments of reflection, “what are the people doing? Are they 
aware of what is going on or do they, since no one has come 
against them, regard it as a joke?” 

Turner felt somewhat abasht, when he recalled all the cir- 
cumstances of the morning. More was he ashamed because 
he regarded himself as having failed in the trust committed 
to him. 

Seeing that his neighbor made no reply, William began 
to laugh. “You make me think that something’s gone wrong. 
Am I right?” inquired William. 

Turner shook his head, yet unable to speak because of his 
consciousness of guilt. “No?” remarked Rev. Smith. “Then 
tell me what’s going on.” 

Making a superlative effort to suppress his deep emotion _ 
Turner said slowly with hesitation, “Everything’s all right 
now — thanks to Miss Haskell.” 

“Miss Haskell? What did she do?” his curiosity inter- 
rupted. 

“She has done everything. The people did well last night, 
but Hill influenced them to have a prayer meeting. I even 
listened. When they once started, they forgot the purpose 
of the assembly and turned it almost into a protracted meeting. 
Had any one come then, we all would have been lost.” 

“That was serious. I told them by no means to leave 
their homes. I wonder if they’ll be capable of holding out?” 
he spoke and then paused, after which reflection he askt Tur- 
ner to proceed. 

“Well, we just listened to Wendell Hill. But thank the 
Lord, Miss Haskell came among us, prayed a prayer that brot 
us to our senses. Now we’re on guard to stay till the war is 
over. 

“Rev. Smith, we’re not going to pay any attention to your 


260 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


letter at all. We keep in touch with your watchers.” 

"That's just what I don’t want you to do. I want these 
people to see that I will fully respect the law, even if they do 
not.” 

“You’re not doing this, Rev. Smith. We’re the. ones,” he 
defended thus their decisions. 

“Those white people will say I’m leading you. Persons 
so base as to kill an innocent man in cold blood will do any- 
thing, will say anything, and their courts will not bring them 
to justice. I cannot somehow believe that this is your work, 
for you’ve generally seen situations as I have. Yet it is pos- 
sible for differences to occur at some time. And probably this 
is the parting of the ways.” Thus he tried to reconcile him- 
self to the action of his neighbors in behaving contrary to his 
desire. Yet he had to admire them; for their conduct could 
have been prompted only by love. “I certainly wish you had 
not done this. Well, if you will not follow my suggestion, I 
will partly control the situation anyhow, I can at least keep my 
men within the law. You may suit yourselves.” 

“Thank you, Rev. Smith, we’re so glad you’ve given us 
this permission,” came from Turner, who least desired to get 
the ill-will of the young divine. 

“I haven’t given you any permission,” interrupted Wil- 
liam, showing his ire by a sharp grimace. “Do not misunder- 
stand me. You have taken the permission. I merely suffer 
it.” Then as if this were a holiday, he said, “But come, let’s 
go to the garage. I have — ” 

Turner broke in, “You’ve forgotten about the folks. I 
better make my rounds. You know those scoundrels may burst 
in at any time. And I’d better be going, unless you need me 
particularly.” 

“No, you go on. Whatever you do, do not fire the first 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


261 


shot. It may mean the death or the wounding of one of our 
race, but be willing to make that sacrifice. Are you well sup- 
plied with arms?” 

“Yes, sir. We can handle the situation.” 

“All right. Success.” When Mr. Turner had gone, Wil- 
liam returned to his papers. He lookt at them for a while, 
then went to an opposite window and watched Turner slowly 
crossing a field of corn. He followed him as if in a revery, 
until the beloved gentleman was out of view. Then he moved 
along the side of the room toward the next window. After 
having gone a few steps, he stopt and gazed at a picture in 
a frame of ebony. It was the sphinx. As he lingered behold- 
ing it, for the first time he noticed its Negro features? “Cer- 
tainly ’tis because that was the dominating race of that land,” 
he thot. It was indeed an inspiration. If that structure which 
has been a mystery to all subsequent ages, could be the work 
of his ancestors, he himself would be also a mystery. His 
foes would not fathom his whereabouts more than they could 
solve the riddle of the Sphinx. He pondered long on Africa 
and allowed his mind to drift with sweet orientation to his 
forebears. He saw it as a land of gloom and then of pure 
delight — with the end of exploitation on the part of other folk. 
Nations were not greedy for gold, nations were not there to 
mutilate. The savage had become cultured; the jungle was 
only a dream. Stately schools and buildings, churches in the 
grand style, resplendent avenues and vistas had made a para- 
dise. Then how sad he was that his ancestors could not enjoy 
it! 

While thus his thots moved on like the song of a bird at 
the return of spring, his attention was distracted by the call 
of “Rev. Smith, Rev. Smith.” As it was a sudden awakening 
and since he was not at first composed, he ran quickly to the 


262 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


desk, seized his rifle and started out. When he reached the 
parlor, he met an outburst of laughter. It was Thelma who had 
come to wish him “Good morning.” 

“Put down your gun. You know I wouldn’t harm you for 
the world. Don’t you,” she smiled. 

He did not speak at once, but wiped his face, as if trying 
to restore emotional equilibrim. Thelma continued to smile in 
her winning way. “Plave a seat, tell me the news. I was 
thinking what an ideal day this would be for a picnic. Those 
wickd men had to spoil my dream. You haven’t told me about 
the letter for Washington. You haven’t been hospitable a bit 
this time. I think I’d better go back to Williamsburg at once.” 
She arose to go. 

William took her by the hand and courteously bowed her 
back to her seat, at the same time saying, “Thelma, you know 
it would have broken your heart to go. You know you wouldn’t 
leave me now.” 

She rusht to the door and said, “Now I cannot stay. Good 
bye.” William stood silent admiring ‘her august presence, the 
sweetness of her speech, the gracefulness of her steps. He 
heard her open the hall door, then he called, “Thelma, Thelma,” 
very softly. She heard. “Thelma,” he called again. “Who 
let you in here any way? I told Mrs. Brown to call me in case 
of any danger. That surely was her voice awhile ago and 
not yours.” 

Miss Haskell returned, moved close to him, with a vin- 
dictive stare and began reproachfully, “I came here — I came 
here.” Then she said tenderly, “William, why do you ask? I 
was — I was just dying to see you.” She went quickly to the 
sofa again. 

William blusht, then sat in a chair near the center table 
ornamented with a Japanese vase of flowers. 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 263 

“Now you have it. I suppose you’re satisfied. Open con- 
fession is good for the soul. At least they say so,” was her 
taunting remark. She lookt at William mischieviously and 
started to move towards him. 

He waved his hand for repression and said, “No, remain 
where you are. I’m glad to see you anyhow but you ought to 
be in Williamsburg.” 

“I was going, but you called me back.” 

You know 1 you must not go now. Besides your going 
was only pretense?” 

“Do I pretend, William?” 

“Certainly, everybody pretends sometimes. That was one 
of your instances.” 

“I better go back to — no, I won’t.” 

“I thot you wouldn’t.” 

“But, William!” 

“Thelma, you must tell me what you have done to my 
neighbors. They have actually refused to do my bidding. They 
have rebelled against me,” he affirmed. He took a rose from 
the vase and offered it to her with a bow. “I have no rose- 
mary for remembrance. I wish I did. We have been friends 
so long and may have to part. Something is going to happen 
before the sun goes down, I feel ; hence I speak. Accept this 
rose for remembrance. My foes will spare you; but I may 
have to go.” 

Thelma held her head as if abasht, then lookt at him ap- 
pealingly. Turning to one side she noticed a pillow covered 
with a design after the seal of his alma mater. She put it from 
her and moved to the other end of the sofa. “Now there is 
room, William. Come, sit down.” He accepted the seat. Then 
she took a pin, and gave it to him with this remark, “Take 
this; pin it here.” She pointed to her left breast. “Not for 


264 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


remembrance tho. Don’t think you will go and leave me here/’ 

'‘Thelma, you must not be this way. Men, it seems, must 
die but women must live.” he remarkt with resignation. 

“No,” she said impatiently, “That has been true long 
enough. Either men and women both must live or both must 
die. I can shoot. I’ll show you.” Quickly she had seized 
his rifle. But he was soon at her side. 

“No, Thelma, you must not fire that. My helpers would 
think I was attacked. I believe you. So you see proof is un- 
necessary.” He placed the rifle on the table, where it was. 
Then both returned to the sofa. “You have not told me what 
you did to my neighbors.” 

“You did not permit me.” 

“Well, I’m listening now.” 

“You said the people had rebelled against you. It isn’t 
so. They have rebelled for you. Do not scorn them; scorn 
me. They were obeying your commands, but I shamed them 
into rejecting them. They were about to let their religious en- 
thusiasm leave them defenseless. But they are determined now. 
I was asleep when they played that joke on me ; but I’m awake 
now. Besides, I have foresworn sleep, until we have fought 
this thing to a finish.” She wanted him to be pleased with what 
she had done, yet she feared to go into details. 

“To be frank,” he put in, knitting his brow, “I’m sorry. 
Yet you have taught those people a valuable lesson. The sight 
of a woman, sensible and fearless, calm and resourceful, was 
something new to them. Clarkston says they almost worship 
you.” 

“I rejoice in the fact that they appreciate the situation. 
You must know tho that I was selfish in doing so,” she 

pleaded. 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 265 

I can t understand you/’ he remarkt appealing, insisting 
upon an answer. How could you have been selfish?” 

“Don’t you see, William, I did it for myself?” she con- 
tinued pleaded, anxious concerning the effect of her admis- 
sion. “I thot of the people, I thot of the Nation and our race. 
Overwhelmed with the impulse that we should be willing to 
give our lives rather than have either the Nation or the race 
humiliated, I determined on this course.” 

“That does not make you selfish, it enables you ; you were 
moved by the strongest pulsations of generosity. That’s why 
the people almost worship you,” he declared and waited her 
response. 

She paused a while, then lowered her head; but soon it 
was erect again. Now her entire being pleaded. She lookt 
at him inquiringly then took his hand. William was thrilled. 
He tried to push her hand away, he wanted to get up and 
leave the house. He had to stay. He had not toucht her hand 
since childhood. How easy it was then ; how difficult during 
the last years! As her hand pressed his lightly, he held her 
firmly. New impulses, new ideas, and hopes seemed to rush 
from her to him, and permeate every fiber of his being. 
“William, William, do not despise me. I have not done this 
for people, race, or Nation. True, I thot of them; but I did 
this for myself.” 

“Thelma! Thelma!” This was all he said. Great was 
his emotion. 

“I love the people, but first of all I love you.” She now 
more firmly pressed his hand, nimbly tossed her head and 
quickly leaned towards him. 

He took her in his arms and kissed her twice ; then broke 
away. “Thelma, I am too happy,” he said, when he had 
reacht the center table. 

“Come, William, sit down. Be happy again,” she said, and 


266 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


smiled triumphantly. “I am not going to harm you. You’re 
not going to harm me. Certainly you’re not afraid of a 
woman, especially of her who made you happy?” 

“It’s not that, Thelma,” came forth with a sigh from his 
true breast. “I shouldn’t have sat on the sofa beside you.” 

“I wanted you to, William, and you came willingly,” she 
said cheerfully. 

“Yes, I know I did; but I wonder if I haven’t done you 
wrong and probably someone else wrong.” 

“Susan?” Thelma remarkt when she noticed his waver- 
ing. 

“Yes. What would she say? How would she feel, if she 
knew this?” 

“Do you love her, William?” askt Thelma with great 
sangfroid. 

“Yes, I do. That’s the trouble?” 

“Why not end it by marrying her? I know she’s wild 
about you.” < I 

“It’s not easy for a conscientious person to make a de- 
cision about a matter so serious as this,” he replied, beginning 
to defend himself. “I wanted to marry until those dastardly 
outlaws sent me that threatening note. I had thot of going 
to Susan — ” Here he broke off. 

“You’re not hurting my feelings,” put in Thelma, sup- 
pressing her emotions. It was not perfectly pleasant to listen 
to the disclosure, but she had staked her all on this interview. 
If she lost, it would not be her fault. When she saw him 
pause, she knew that she could not be successful unless she 
thoroly understood his attitude. Accordingly she urged him 
on. “We’re old friends anyhow. You can tell me anything.” 
she put in. 

“I believe I can. I was about to say,” he continued, tak- 
ing her into his confidence, “I had strongly contemplated go- 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


267 


ing home and asking Susan to be — my — wife. Several times 
before, I had thot of going only to say, I have plenty of time 
yet.” Then when I was threatened, I rejoiced that I was single. 
Thus I put it entirely out of my mind. Now you come and 
force my thots in that direction again. 

“I had refrained from asking, because of the life I lead — 
ostracised by the ministers of the state and now attacked by 
gangsters and felons. When I began this work, I lookt for- 
ward to this. I believed that some day my life would be in 
danger. I’d marry, if I thot I'd have some days of pleasure ; 
but why marry to make a widow’ and probably an orphan? 
It is not my wish to make my wife miserable, but happy.” 

“I am afraid, my dear, you don’t understand a woman’s 
heart. We must take life as it is. Many things are done for 
us anvw r ay and w r e must be resigned,” she affirmed. 

“But Susan is a home girl. Her child would need a 
father. If I were to be killed as her husband, I fear she 
would die also. True, I have called upon her more than 
any young woman I’ve met ; but I have made no overtures. 
For us to part single would not be so calamitous as for us to 
part married,” he said, sitting down by the table which sup- 
ported the vase of roses. 

“Have you allowed her to answer you on this point?” 
she inquired, made hopeful by his last remarks. 

“No, I haven’t askt her point blank, but our conversa- 
tions on varied matters have sufficiently convinced me as to 
this,” he said. 

“William, I’ll tell you what to do. Let me help you out 
of the difficulty. Sometimes I become very unconventional,” 
she said with a smile that had its effect. “If many women 
had come here, as I have, they would have been seeking you 
and leading you to a proposal. They would have shown they 
wanted to marry you by smiling as I have” — here she smiled 


268 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


again — “by coming ostensibly to visit the farm and see the 
town, by making you thousands of little advances. They 
would have done all the proposing. And a year after you 
were married, your wife would have said you wouldn't let 
her rest until she had married you.” 

“But, Thelma.” 

“Don’t interrupt me at this moment, please. Please wait 
until I finish.” He nodded assent. “Occasionally I am retir- 
ing and conventional par excellence, at other times I am 
frank and unconventional. This is one of the unconventional 
moments. William, I can help you solve this problem.” She 
proceeded to move toward him. 

“Stay where you are,” he cried. 

She went on to his side and put her arms about him. 
He did not repulse her. Then she said with penetrating sweet- 
ness, “William, you love me, too — no, you’re not going to run 
away. I’ll be your widow and to the child I’ll be both father 
and mother. I pleaded for Susan as long as I could, but I’m 
a woman. I love you for myself. I came here to tell you 
this.” 

William arose, drew her to himself and said, “Thelma, I’d 
like to kiss you. You have made me so happy; but kisses 
mean so much. When I receive another, it will be from her 
I must wed.” 

“And who will that be?” she pleaded. 

At this moment the bell rang. As it was not an alarm, 
he did not respond at once. 

“Can you suffer the worries and anxieties of my situa- 
tion? Can you bear the disquiet of my being subject to at- 
tack at any time?” he askt. 

“Haven’t I already done so?” 

“Yes, you have.” 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 269 

“Am I not ready to defend you even at the risk of my 
life?” 

“Thelma, you shall have an answer.” 

“When, William?” 

“Before the sun goes down.” 


CHAPTER XXVI. 


Refrain tonight, 

And that shall lend a kind of easiness 

To the next abstinence ! the next more easy ; 

For use almost can change the stamp of nature. 

— Shakespeare 

I say plainly that every American who takes part in the 
action of a mob or gives it any sort of countenance is no true 
son of this great democracy, but its betrayer, and does more 
to discredit her by that single disloyalty to her standards 
of law and of right than the words of her statesmen or the 
sacrifices of her heroic boys in the trenches can do to make 
suffering peoples believe her to be their savior. How shall 
we commmend democracy to the acceptance of other peoples 
if we disgrace our own by proving that it is, after all, no 
protection to the weak. — Woodrow Wilson. 

“What you’re doing with that rope?’’ shouted a culprit, 
disgusted at the very sight of it. 

“I thot we might want to swing the coon up to a tree,” 
was the reply. 

“Hanging’s too good for a nigger. Get those irons there,” 
said the first speaker. “Did you get Tom the plummer’s blast? 
You know we got to heat those irons, if we’re goin’ to gouge 
his eyes out right. When it comes to lynchin’ a nigger, I be- 
lieve in doin’ a good job.” 

“I got it all right,” was the response. 

“Well, let’s join the bunch. We’re late now. We should 
have finisht this little job and been back to work,” was the 
cold utterance. 

How can they do this? How can they be so devoid of 
feeling as not to value human life? Some say they do not 
treat white men this way. Yes, they do; but not so often. 


270 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


271 


The recent years have seen even white men victims of this 
modern barbarism. Can persons maltreat the Negro and not 
abuse their own people? A man is a man. 

The Court House was the rendezvous for the reprobates 
bent on this devilish pastime. There were the paved street 
and granitoid sidewalks before the municipal building with 
its artistic statuary. There were the many business houses, 
groceries, notion and department stores, confectioneries, res- 
taurants, hotels, furniture shops, drug stores, hardware stores. 
There were the pedestrians going in and out; men, women, 
boys and girls. There were the sheriff and his assistants. 
While some plied their trades and others pursued the even 
tenor of their way, the mob assembled with hilarity and pro- 
fanity ; for this was to be a gala day. No colored people were 
on the streets, except for business; only here and there a few 
could be seen in the shops, shining shoes, washing cuspidors, 
hauling trunks, or moving furniture. It seemed well under- 
stood mutually that this was an occasion when fiends would 
dance in triumph. 

Tad Temple, Jr., a boy of twelve, evidently the son of 
a wealthy or well-to-do citizen, passed by the mob. Ben Cald- 
well, a lad of ten, stepped on his foot. So many had crowded 
before the Court, that jostling seemed unavoidable. This 
young fellow did not seek into causes, he yelled, “Damn you, 
what you doing stepping on my foot. I'll knock your damn 
block off; I’m no nigger. If you do it again, I’ll make dad 
lynch you.” 

The other replied, “I didn’t go to step on your foot. You 
curse me because I ain’t your size. If I was your equal, I’d 
treat you worse than a nigger. Your old man can’t do nothing 
to me.” 

Tad Temple’s boy slapped the little fellow, began to 
choke him. Took some twine from his pocket, and put it 


272 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


around Ben Caldwell’s neck. ‘Til hang you myself,” he said. 

Before more could be done, attracted by the cries, several 
men parted the youngsters. When Tad Temple recognized 
his boy and understood the situation, he said to Robert White, 
“Did you see what my youngster tried to do, strangle that 
little fellow and hang him? When our children start doing 
this, I think it time we should have stopt. We shouldn’t be 
so public anyway.” 

“Mr. Temple,” said Bob, “you’ve always been against 
this fellow’s upstart ways. Now that you’ve got a chance 
to get him, surely you ain’t a going to back out? You know 
we want an orderly mob, we want some decent folks with us,” 
he pleaded. 

“All that’s well and good, Bob,” put in Mr. Temple, “but 
when a man sees his child treating another white child as 
mine did, you know its enough to make a man shiver. If it 
had been a nigger, I’d enjoyed it ; but he was on a white kid.” 

“What the h — 1, what you waiting for? This is a h — 1 
of a mob,” said Newton Young. “Are you ever going to get 
started. That nigger ought to be in h — 1 by this time.” 

“D — n it, you’re right,” remarkt Luke Crabtree. “We 
don’t take all day for just one. Let us have our fun and get 
back to work.” 

On the other side of the street stood the president of the 
National Bank, Mr. Pitts, beside him was the sheriff. “Mr. 
Simpson, can’t you do anything to stop this?” he called. 

“Not a thing. You know they will have their way,” 
said the sheriff, with perfect contentment. 

“Have you tried?” inquired the banker. 

“No, what’s the use?” 

“This thing is a disgrace to the Nation. It can be stopt. 
Why don’t you order troops of the governor?” persisted the 
banker. 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 273 

“He wouldn’t take time to send them to save the life of 
a darkey. If he did, instead of stopping the mob, they’d only 
join it.” 

“Well, I suppose you can prosecute them when this is 
over, can’t you?” 

“We never can get all the names.” Of course, they never 
tried. 

“Mr. Simpson, you and I know at least seventy-five of 
those men. If you want other names, I’ll supply them,” said 
this brave citizen. 

“I couldn’t get a jury that would convict them; so it’s 
not worth bothering your head one way or the other,” de- 
clared the sheriff with nonchalance. “Let the darkey die. We 
won’t miss him. We have enough of them anyway.” 

“Mr. Simpson, you don’t deserve your position ; you dis- 
grace it.” The banker spoke vehemently, for he was both irri- 
tated and disgusted. “This is no common Negro these 
scoundrels are after, it’s one of our best citizens, Rev. Smith. 
The only crime that he has committed is that he has honestly 
acquired a bank account and helped others to do the same. 
You know that there have been fewer criminals since he came 
than ever in our history. If you can get ten men who’ll join 
me, I’ll break up that mob. They have well nigh a thousand 
going to take one man. The cowards! Ten good men can 
bring them to their senses. Go quickly and see what you can 
do; if we start in time we can get ahead of them. We don’t 
want it to go all over the country as a big headline of the news- 
papers, Seaton, a Place of Lawlessness, Mob Lynches an Up- 
right Negro for Acquiring a Bank Account. See what you 
can do.” 

“Mr. Pitts, it won’t do any good. I’m sorry,” he said. 

“You won’t help to put this down?” he inquired sternly, 
and paused. “Then I will. Good bye.” He went into the 


274 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


throng, then upon the courthouse steps and shouted, “Men, 
men.” Some of the members of the mob paid heed; others 
were utterly unaware of his anxiety. So occupied were they 
with cursing and abusing to inflame their passion for dastard- 
ly deeds of brutishness and savagery. Savagery ? Ah ! worse 
than savagery. Those of the mob who were attentive tried 
to bring their nearest associates to listen to the banker. “Mr 
Pitts has something so say,” said one. 

“H — 1, this ain't no time for speeches,” said the asso- 
ciate with defiance. “Let's get the nigger and listen after- 
wards.” This attitude was fairly typical. 

“D — n it,” remarkt another. “Are you goin’ to stay here 
all day? If you don’t mean business, d — n it, why don’t you 
say so?” 

“Men! Men! Citizens of Great America,” called Mr. 
Pitts, trying to make at least those nearest him take caution. 
The shouting, fuming, and hubdub of the assembly made his 
utterances unintelligible even to those nearest. Seeing Sandy 
James, however, over whom he could exert some influence, he 
called to him ; he even went to him and urged him to quiet 
the people, in order that he might remind them of their duty 
in that great hour. 

The lawyer, tho a pettifogger, knew he had to obey. Ac- 
cordingly, without any ado, he spoke to several near him and 
particularly the leaders, whom he dispatched thru the crowd 
with these words, “Tell the people they must listen to Pitts, but 
not do what he says. If he tends to talk long, we’ll run off. 
FH give the signal. You know my whistle. Remember, you 
listen, but you do what I say.” 

The men delivered the communication as directed. It 
was received, however, with various responses. Some said 
they would go home and have nothing to do with it; others 
indulged in prolonged profanity; others received the sitgges- 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


275 


tion kindly. Tho dissatisfaction and spleen ran high in many 
parts of the crowd, all stayed to listen. The few, who were 
most ready to rush on without the rest, became somewhat 
more temperate, when they recalled that they never had fewer 
than three hundred when such an important job was to be 
done. They had to have security, you know. Three hundred 
or a thousand against one. What hideous warfare ! Why not 
a man against a man? Who ever heard of such? The odds 
would be too great. 

When the mumbling, the shouting and the swearing at 
length subsided and practically all faces were turned to the 
top of the stone steps, the venerable banker, with his vigorous 
character lines, and his grizzled hair, somewhat curled up in 
the rear, with his splendid physique and august look, set off 
by a penetrating eye, bespoke the honorable gentleman of the 
New South, the statesman, the twentieth century man. He 
reminded one of Cicero at the forum, of Demosthenes at the 
Areopagus. 

“Men of the South, American citizens,” he began, “and 
when I say American, I mean all that the word implies ; our 
glorious land, our noble heritage, the honor of our fathers 
who died to make it free. Do you love this country?” 

“Yes, certainly we do,” was vociferated in many parts 
of the crowd, and like expressions. “We hate the niggers 
tho.” 

“You ought to love them,” he continued. “If you realized 
that the South never could have developed without them ; if 
you realized how you profit by their labor now, you would be 
better towards them.” 

“Is that all you have to say?” burst forth from one em- 
bittered by the previous utterance. 

“Shut up,” came from one near him. “We ain't going 
to pay no attention to what he says anyhow. We know our 


276 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


business. We’re going to get the nigger, d — n it. Ain’t that 
enough ?” 

The solace, tho crudely put, accomplisht its aims. The 
mob was soon quiet again. Continuing his remarks, the 
banker said, “Lynching should never have occurred. Even 
tho it has been tolerated, we can not afford to have it now. 
Have you forgotten that our country is at war? Can you not 
recall that on April 6, 1917, that the President gave us a mo- 
tive for entering the war by saying, ‘Let us make the world 
safe for democracy.’ Gentlemen, that is an awful respon- 
sibility. Democracy means that you are as good as I am ; 
that other people are as good as you ; that those who govern 
shall have the consent of those they govern. This is what 
the President aims to accomplish. 

“We have undertaken to make the world safe for democ- 
racy while there is very little democracy within our own gates. 
The Germans oppressed the Belgians and we cry, ‘Horror!' 
The Russians have a pogrom of the Jews and we cry, ‘Horror!’ 
The Turks massacre the Armenians and we cry, ‘Horror!’ 
Our own citizens murder our most loyal citizens in cold blood 
and what do we do ? Nothing. What do we say ? Nothing. 

“American citizens, I plead with you to do no wrong. 
Attorney General Gregory puts this better than I can. Hear 
what he says in his recent speech before the American Bar 
Association. He says, ‘We must set our faces against law- 
lessness within our own borders. Whatever we may say about 
the causes for our entering the war, we know that one of the 
principal reasons was the lawlessness of the German nation — 
what they have done in Belgium and in Northern France, and 
what we have reason to know they would do elsewhere. For 
us to tolerate lynching is to do the same thing that we are 
condemning in the Germans. Lynch law is the most coward- 
ly of crime. Invariably the victim is unarmed, while the 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


277 


men who lynch are armed and in large numbers. It is a de- 
plorable thing under any circumstances, but at this time above 
all others it creates an extremely dangerous condition. I in- 
vite your help in meeting it.’ Those are his very words, as I 
read them from this clipping. Say what you wish ; but lynch- 
ing a man in America is not different from lynching one in 
Belgium or France. For — ” 

“Ah, h — 1, that’s enough of that bosh,” shouted several, 
interrupting the speaker. “Let’s move where we’re going, 
if we’re going.” 

“Yes, d — n it,” shouted another. “I’ve stood it just a 
minute too long. I’m so d — n mad ; if he don’t stop I’m likely 
to put a ball thru him. Stop your d — n gab or I’ll — .” 

A shrill whistle arose, which was reinforced by similar 
calls from various parts of the mob. With rifles, pistols, 
cudgels, irons, ropes and others things, the throng moved at 
a rapid pace amidst turbulence, shrieking, oaths and vitupera- 
tion, to seize the great pioneer of race adjustment whose crime 
was that he served his people and his nation faithfully. 

The banker, in great dismay, lookt on the mobile throng 
as it hurried away. To him it was a calamity,- a man was to 
be lynched, a soul sent to heaven or hell. He thot of the 
slaves who defended his mother during the Rebellion, he 
thot of those that bled under the lash toiling in the wilderness 
to make it blossom like a rose. He mused how the toil of 
these humble people had created the wealth of the South, af- 
forded him and others opportunity for leisure, study and en- 
joyment. These people had become poor making their land- 
lords and employers millionaires. Then he recalled Rev. 
Smith, who had associated with him on many occasions in im- 
proving the lot of the farmer; and had stimulated more 
friendly relations between the races. “Why is the laborer 
unworthy of his hire? Why should honest and persistent 


278 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


thrift be unrewarded, even scorned,” so he mused, as the 
spectacle faded in the distance. 

At this point, a Negro, very unkempt, a braggadocio and 
a bully, passed out of the saloon, with an unwrapped bottle 
of whiskey in his hand. The banker recognized him at once 
as the shiftless individual, who worked spasmodically on a 
nearby farm. 

“We don’t see so many of those now,” he reflected. “Rev. 
Smith has changed many of them to steady workers. They 
are savers now and work regularly. Some of them are even 
buying farms. 

“I suppose that’s the trouble. As long as a Negro is 
trifling, he’s all right. He knows his place/ As soon as he 
shows himself a man, a valuable citizen, we don’t need him. 
What mockery !” He became stirred to disgust and indigna- 
tion. He left the steps and started for his bank. “Somehow, 
I can’t give up. That shilly shally sheriff has refused to in- 
terfere. Is the case hopeless? I believe I can get ten men 
who will help me stop this outrage. To get them soon enough 
is the trouble. The telephone’s the thing.” 

When he had gone a few paces, he was met by his bank 
messenger. “What is it, Frank?” he inquired. 

“There is a gentleman waiting for you at the bank,” he 
replied, with a slight bow. 

“How long has he been there?” 

“Not long.” 

“Couldn’t someone else look after his business? I have a 
very important matter to adjust.” 

“He said he would have to see you.” 

“Well, I hope it will not be long.” 

When he entered the bank, he cast about in the lobby to 
see his caller. As each person there was transacting business, 
he rang for the messenger. “Frank,” he said, when the ener- 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 279 

getic employee responded, “bring the gentleman to my office, 
please/’ 

“Yes, sir,” he bowed out. 

Within a few minutes, Mr. Pitts greeted the visitor. 
“Davis,” he said cheerfully, shaking his hand vigorously, “if 
I had known you were here, I should have been here long 
ago. Say, you never told me how much wheat you thresht 
on your place the other week.” 

“Five hundred thirty bushels,” he remarkt with obvious 
pride. 

“Have a seat,” Davis began, “I could say much, but I 
have only one thing to talk about this morning. As I came 
down the road I met a mob. Trailing behind them were many 
women and children going evidently to witness a gruesome 
sight. And these were dressed in their finest and carried 
lunch baskets, as if going on a picnic. This thing must stop. 
We call Nero cruel, but what about our own people?” 

“I just left the court house steps. That was their as- 
sembly place. I might have been here before, but I watched 
them out of sight and reflected upon the terrible times in 
which we live. Think what those scoundreds are hoping to 
do, while our President is trying to bring peace to Europe,” 
the banker declared with great feeling. 

“Pitts, we must stop this.” 

“That’s what I say, Davis. I was just coming here to 
reach some men over the phone to help me. I believe ten or 
eleven brave men can turn the trick. I spoke to the repro- 
bates from the steps and they listened; but I alone couldn’t 
do much. If ten or eleven determined men meet them they’ll 
listen, I do believe,” spoke the banker optimistically. 

“But when you go into a mob like that, to be sure of suc- 
cess talk alone won’t do. You must show guns. I shouldn’t 
stop at ten or eleven. I’d get a whole army, Pitts.” 


280 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


“Well, the more we have the surer we are of success.” 

“To think of having women and children looking on a 
murder. You know how cruel those fellows are. They don’t 
believe in painless death at all. They lengthen it out; they 
torture their victims. Then our women and children go to 
see it; and the cowards pride themselves on taking human 
life in this way,” Davis affirmed with disgust. 

“Then they are going to kill an innocent man. If the 
fellow was some scamp or idler, it would be different. But 
to kill a man who has done so much for the community,” said 
the banker. 

“Yes, Rev. Smith is a very fine man,” remarkt Davis. “I 
can always get laborers now, who will stick right to the job. 
And I know it hasn’t always been so. Besides, if I need extra 
help and ask him to find some one, he can always get some 
one there. That means something. These explosive orators 
who have said, ‘Keep the darkey down,’ don’t know what 
they're talking about. I believed that stuff once ; but I see 
now that intelligence makes even the Negro a better worker 
This man has stood by us. Now we must stand by him. 
Whom were you. going to call?” 

“Townsend, Hardy, McKinley, and have them mention 
some others who they think will join us,” was the response. 

“Call them, see what they say.” 

Mr. Pitts called the three persons he named and found 
them ready to co-operate. They were all engaged in im- 
portant matters, but because the honor of the South was at 
stake, because the honor of the Nation was at stake, they 
decided to do the more important thing. As he expected, they 
suggested others who should be called. W’hen he finisht tele- 
phoning he had the promise of thirty-five men, who could 
call others and come to the bank at once. 

“That’s encouraging, isn’t it ?” inquired the banker. 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


281 


“It certainly is,” he replied. “If we can just stop this 
at once; then prosecute the offenders, we will have made a 
long advance in ridding the Nation of the lawless. If other 
towns learn that we have put it down, they will follow suit.” 

“I found tho that Nailor has been working. He’s or- 
ganizing the farmers who are not with Bob White. He has 
helping him Henry and James Mitchell, Daniel Martin and 
Fred Dean. How did he miss you?” the banker askt. 

“Well, I have been quite ubiquitous of late — everywhere 
you know,” was the jovial response. “But I’m glad the out- 
look is hopeful. Did you tell them to bring their guns?” 

“No, I did not. It was unnecessary,” remarkt the banker. 
“What fool would come without one in an affair like this?” 

“How are we to get there? You know we’ll have to 
use automobiles,” said Davis asking and answering his ques- 
tion. 

“There will be cars enough,” the banker assured him and 
at once called for all available automobiles to be held in re- 
serve for him. 

“How many can you get?” asked Davis. 

“More than we need,” replied the friend. 

The respectable white men of Seaton soon began to 
pour into the bank, weapons in hand. As most of them owned 
cars, few had to be ordered. When all who were expected 
were there, they numbered about seventy-five. No delay was 
lost in exchanging greetings. The question on every lip was, 
“who’ll lead? Who’ll address them?” 

“Since Nailor is best as fighter and organizer, let him 
lead,” said the banker. All agreed. “I spoke to the men this 
morning, so I think it would be better to have a different per- 
son.” He feared selection. 

“Probably you’re right,” said Davis. 

“Then I suggest that Lawyer Jones will address them.” 


282 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


“You handle children. Can you handle men?” the banker 

askt. 

“I think I can. Anyhow, I have to try/’ was the lawyer’s 
reply. 

“Then all is settled?” 

“All’s settled. Let’s meet at Nailor’s,” said one. 

“All right,” was the general response. 

They boarded the automobiles and sailed off. 


CHAPTER XXVII. 


ft; 

% w 

Gather ye rose-buds while ye may, 

Old time is still a-flying: 

And this same flower that smiles today, 

Tomorrow may be dying. 

Then be not coy, but use your time ; 

And while ye may, go marry : 

For having lost but once your prime, 

You may for ever tarry. — Herrick 

After William had promised Thelma that he would decide 
his fate before sunset, he became silent for a while and only 
lookt at her. Then he began to ponder concerning the wisdom 
of his utterance ; but when the thot came that since he could 
support a wife, today was as excellent time for a decision as 
any other, he made himself satisfied. At once he turned to 
her and askt childishly, “Are you satisfied now? Are you 
happy ?” 

She answered with all pleasantness. “William, I’m just 
as happy as a lark, just as happy as I can be. How are you?” 

“Well, I suppose I am happy, too. I certainly have been 
thrilled by your courage. — But someone rang. I wonder who 
it can be?” said Smith, becoming practical once more. 

Clarkston came in and bowed. 

“Pardon me,” he said, “but there is a lady who wishes 
to see you, Mr. Smith.” 

“A lady? Who can she be?” William questioned him- 
self. 

“Well, I know it’s time for me to get back to duty,” said 
Thelma, starting to go. 


283 


284 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


“You know as well as I, Thelma, that you can’t go right 
now. Meet the lady and then go. I always insist upon my 
guests becoming acquainted. Yet, I wonder what my visitor 
wants here at this time, when blood is likely to be shed. I 
shouldn’t be surprised at all at your doing such — but for a 
stranger! Probably it's one of the neighbors. Well, no use 
wondering about her. Let us look her over,” he remarkt flip- 
pantly. “Show her in, Mr. Clarkston.” 

William stood by the table ; Thelma sat on the sofa. Each 
lookt at the other inquiringly but kept silent. While they 
were in these attitudes, the lady walked into the drawing 
room. It was Susan. William and Thelma were overwhelmed. 
Thelma sighed, William was speechless ; for a while both 
had lost their equipoise. 

Susan placed her bag on a chair near by and was on the 
point of extending her hand to William, when she saw Thel- 
ma. “You here?” she said. “Well, I expected it.” She was 
rather nervous. “I wanted — I wanted” — here she broke off 
and sat down. “Oh, it’s so hard, so hard !” 

“What, Susan?” inquired William, eager for an answer. 

“Oh, some day, I’ll tell. Some day I’ll tell it from the 
house tops. I’ll shout it to all the world,” she screamed. 
“Yes, all the world shall know.” 

William took her hand and said, “Susan, you’re either ill 
or very nervous. Your hand seems to be feverishly hot and 
you are breathing very rapidly. Thelma, he entreated, his 
face showing great anxiety, “go back to the kitchen — you’ll 
find it there — the smelling salts.” He indicated the direction. 
“Ask Mrs. Brown to come here. We can’t get a physician 
at this time, because” — 

“William, all that is unnecessary, and if I did need a phy- 
sician right now, I believe I’d rather die than to have Thelma 
go seek one. No, you needn’t go. It’s not necessary. Ha ! Ha ! 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


285 


Ha !” she laughed sadly and disquietingly. It seemed as tho 
she would go into hysterics. Then with a suddenness that 
surprised them, she stopt. William and Thelma were com- 
pletely overawed. “I’m all right/’ she said, rising and mov- 
ing towards William. “Pardon me for setting your nerves 
on the rack, but I felt so miserable. Pardon my manners. 
Shake hands with me, William. How have you been?” Wil- 
liam greeted her warmly. 

“I'Ve been very well. I’m so glad to see you,” he said. 

“Are you really,” she inquired jubilantly. “I was afraid 
you wouldn’t be — But, I mustn’t forget you, Thelma; pardon 
the hard things I said of you just now. I almost hate you for 
some things, but we’ve been playmates and classmates and 
friends so long. Then I didn’t shun you, but you avoided me. 
Shake hands with me, Thelma.” When the townslady showed 
hesitancy, Susan went to her, took her hand and greeted her 
warmly. They then embraced. Thelma felt ashamed. “I 
want to be good now, even if I have to be wicked later on. 
I want to love you now, even tho I may have to hate you 
tomorrow. I wish we could be permanent friends again, that 
we could run to see each other once more each evening; but 
there are some things we must understand first. Are we 
friends now?” she askt. “William, Thelma, are we?” 

“I am your friend, you may rest assured,” William af- 
firmed. 

“And you, Thelma?” inquired Susan. 

“Susan, I don’t know what to say. I have certainly tried 
to be,” she said honestly. 

“I ask this, because what we are to settle can not be ad- 
justed by enemies. We must be friends to do it. You can 
be my friend,” she pleaded, “for a half hour, can’t you?” 

“I — I, yes, Susan; yes, Susan, dear, I can, I can,” she 
remarkt with great effort. She could not throttle the impulse 


286 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


of her heart with its womanly instincts that a few minutes 
since had gained the mastery, had forced her to reveal her 
soul to the man she loved without affectation or arrogance. 
She loved Susan, but she loved William, too. She could act 
a part even in real life, but not that of a hypocrite. Therefore 
to say she was a friend and at the same time a rival seemed 
to Thelma a little inconsistent. As every woman desires the 
man she loves, so Thelma longed for William. There was 
to be no concealing it. Yet if he chose her friend, she would 
suffer, but she would live. 

Interpreting Susan’s plea as a bid for calmness, she could 
consent. 

“We’re all childhood friends. We played and grew to- 
gether; but now we live apart. In view of the fact that fate 
or providence has thru the heart brot us once more together, 
let us be joyful,” she said, and laught wholesomely. The 
others reflected her sunshine with broad smiles. “Sit down, 
Thelma.” Thelma went to the sofa. “Sit down, William,” 
she resumed. She lookt about mirthfully and said, “Are all 
seated?” She sat abruptly and remarkt with equal brusque- 
ness, “Yes, we are.” 

“Susan, I can hardly understand you today,” spoke Wil- 
liam. The various moods, rapidly shifting, were a new sight 
to* him. The calm, equipoised Susan Lee, quiet and patient, 
had given place to an aggressive personality not easily labeled. 

“Sometimes, I can hardly understand myself,” she re- 
markt as one confessing sins to a priest. “I’m nervous Wil- 
liam ,and you Thelma. Have I made you nervous?” Taking 
for granted that she had been the cause of all the trouble, 
she exclaimed. “I wish I hadn’t come. I started not to.” 

“Why did you come, Susan?” inquired William, think- 
ing of the crisis that would have to reach a head that day, 
if the blackmailers kept their word. 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


287 


“Why did I come? Why would a woman steal from 
parents and friends, and risk abuse and calamity to see a 
man ? Why did Thelma ? Has she told you ? I came for the 
same purpose/' was the outpouring of her troubled soul. 
Thelma’s heart throbbed violently as Susan spoke. Child- 
hood memories flasht across her mind, and even days of youth 
and early womanhood. Each had been the life of the other. 
Was each now to be the death of each? 

“Your parents don’t know you are here, Susan?” pleaded 
William. 

“I suppose they know now. I left a note within easy 
reach, but I could not let them know I was coming. Mother 
would have come along whether I wanted her or not. And I 
knew she would be entirely out of place. This is a matter 
for us three. Do you blame me for coming? If you do, I 
know what that means,” declared Susan. 

“No, I do not condemn you,” he remarkt. He was con- 
demning himself. In all other matters he had acted with tact 
and expedition. This matter alone of all the interests that 
had absorbed his mind he had bungled, he thot. 

“Can you praise me?” she askt, not satisfied with what 
seemed a subterfuge. Her question was the prompting of her 
womanly instincts. 

“I must admire you, Susan. You have come thru timid- 
ity, I’m sure.” Thelma squirmed. What did he mean? Had 
he not used the wrong word? Was it not supreme courage 
in the supreme hour of a woman’s life that brot her there. 
Neither Thelma nor William had deemed her capable of it. 
When crises arise in human affairs, we all may change. 

Susan observed and was glad. “I wondered just how I 
could get away; I found it so difficult. The chance came at 
last, when mother went shopping. It was my long-sought op- 
portunity. So I am here.” 


288 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


“You little thief !” exclaimed William affectionately. 
Thelma heaved a sigh. Should she go or remain? She would 
remain. Should she speak or keep silent? She would speak 
in her turn, but in the main she would say nothing. These 
were incruciating moments tho. How she had prided herself 
on having been unusually blest, possessing the best of the 
womanly virtues with a strong admixture of the masculine. 
Many hard situations, for some women, sad predicaments, 
many of which would have had no solution at their hands, were 
for her, but as ordinary difficulties and embarrassments. This 
dilemma, however, was entirely new and in handling it, she 
found herself only a woman. For the first time in eight years 
she sobbed. Then tears began to flow. 

When she took her handkerchief and wiped her eyes, 
William and Susan noticed her. “You’re crying,” he said, 
“Shame on you.” 

“I can’t help it,” she sobbed. “Go on and talk. Don’t 
bother about me. I’ll be all right soon.” 

This was another of the surprises. Thelma had care- 
fully planned what she was to do, but as she had not at all 
expected Susan ; she was disconcerted. Affection for both 
Susan and William made her distress more intense. 

“I’m sorry I came and made you nervous, Thelma. I 
had it, and you had it. Watch out, William, you’ll be next,” 
she said with a taunt. — “By the way, I haven’t moved my hat. 
I mustn’t be formal. I’m at home, am I not, William? At 
least I may pretend so, may I not?” Already she had re- 
moved her hat and placed it on the table, near which William 
sat. “Now, I feel all right.” 

Now Thelma became more composed. To help the sit- 
uation she took up a magazine and examined the illustrations. 
She was trying to remain out of the conversation. 

“'I’m glad you’re feeling fine now. I hope you won’t be- 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


289 


come excited again, for as you said, you may make me lose 
my equilibrium,” affirmed William. 

“Of course, I’m a little fidgety at times. And occasion- 
ally I’m impulsive, but don’t blame me for it William, please 
don’t. My nervousness today has been due to several circum- 
stances. You know when I was here two days ago, I wanted 
to talk to you alone. You wanted to do so, too. But we were 
never to ourselves. You could not run away from your 
guests. So there I was. Your intimation, however, gave me 
hope that I was not waiting in vain, that soon you would 
come to me and at least end suspense one way or the other,” 
she spoke rather energetically. 

“I meant to come right after the wheat harvest,” he put 
in by way of corroboration. 

“William,” said Susan tenderly, “I meant to wait; but 
you remember my letter stating that I might come. I was 
going to wait; but Thelma came to see you — I’m not blaming 
you or abusing you, Thelma. Rather, I rejoice that you 
highly value what I also admire. You have paid me a com- 
pliment in loving William.” Thelma was rather uneasy, only 
with quite a struggle in this instance could she refrain from 
speech. “Returning to the point, Thelma told different people 
about the farm. She did not come to see me. I divined that 
she was not visiting the farm, but you. 

“Then the other day, I came home from the excursion 
here without having accomplisht my purpose, which was to 
have a talk with you that would reveal our very souls. When 
I learned the following morning that Thelma had left town 
again, I thought she would be only around Seaton. I’m not 
angry now, but I was almost mad then. I veritably raved. 
Mother couldn’t understand me. She had Dr. Holmes to come, 
who said I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. So 
he recommended a week’s rest there, then several weeks in 


290 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


the country. I tried to urge mother not to have him come, ^ 
but she would have her way.” 

“Of course matters will arise at times to displease us all, 
but we need to be calm. We can’t tell what the end may be,” 
he spoke tritely. 

“Well, I couldn’t be calm when I wanted to. Finally I 
did become somewhat resigned. Then I determined to be my 
own physician. So I came here for my health,” she smiled. 
“Shall I live or die? If I am the physician, I suppose I ought 
to know.” 

“And what’s the remedy?” William askt, of course, only 
to tease. 

“You know as well as I,” she affirmed carelessly. “An- 
other thing which unsettled me was this. I feared I might 
not find you, or if I did, I would find you dead.” 

“Do you know all?” he inquired. 

“Yes — no, I better not say all. Yet I read in the news- 
paper of your being threatened and that you went to the 
mayor. Here’s the paper in my bag.” A few moments were 
enough to obtain it. 

“Knowing this, you came here?” 

“Yes, but it almost carried me to the ditch. I don’t be- 
lieve I could do it again. That's what made me so upset when 
I came. Then to find Thelma here, as I had suspected — What 
else was there for me to do?” she fondly askt. 

“You have suffered much,” he said with a sigh. 

What enigmas crowd themselves upon us requiring a 
solution! What questions we must answer! What sacrifices 
we must make! What sadness we must know* What deaths 
we must die ! 

William obviously loved both these women. Each was 
beautiful and noble and accomplisht. Each loved him solely. 
He would have chosen one almost as soon as the other, if 



“Knowing this you came here?” 


















































4 




THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


291 


both had not absorbed his life very early and for a long time. 
Tho they were more alike than different, yet the dissimilarities 
and not the likenesses would decide the issue. He would make 
an analysis into their characters ; he had already done it thou- 
sands of times. He knew them as he knew his books — very 
thoroly. 

Yet he must choose. An equal friendship with them, he 
deemed impossible; for it is characteristic of love to make 
a claim, in order that, when it will, it may shut the world out 
and have the object of its affection all to itself. Likewise, he 
thot their merely being friends would not evoke the highest 
qualities of his own nature. To reach human perfection man 
and woman must wed and become one life. To have never 
too much harshness and never too little tenderness, he knew 
he had to come into the most intimate relation with one woman. 
He reflected that a man can never thoroly know even his wife. 
Human life changes so rapidly. How can a man then thoroly 
comprehend two women? It just can not be done. He was 
thinking strenuously. 

“Yes, Fve gone thru much. But I'm paid. I’ve seen 
you, William, I’ve seen you. Medicine could not have ac- 
complisht these results. Oh, I feel so happy,” she said. 
Her heart was quite full and free. “Now, William, one other 
question I have to ask. You must answer. Come here, Thel- 
ma,” she said tenderly. “There are only two women in this 
world that you love — Thelma and me. Am I wrong?” she 
askt. 

“You're right.” He knew what she was coming to, but 
would not interrupt her. 

“Thelma, don’t be bashful, come here,” she said. “When 
I command, you obey.” She stamped her foot playfully. 
Thelma came to her hesitantly. “Stand here, William. Now, 
you have us both ; one on either side. You know you’re going 


292 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


to marry, and we do, too. It’s no use having both of us 
suffer.” Looking across to Thelma, she said, “Old friend., 
can you suffer?” 

“Yes, I have learned how,” she said, “but I’d rather die.” 

“So would I,” said Susan, “yet I believe I can suffer. 
You understand. I waited for you to ask.” All the events 
of his courtship swarmed before him. As he now compre- 
hended it, both he and Susan had proposed and each had 
rejected the other. This situation he desired ended as well 
as Susan. Tho the decision would be painful, he should no 
longer delay. So to some extent he was glad when she said, 
“You men choose anyhow. Make your choice now.” 

“You know that I am not happy. I’m suffering more 
than ever before in my life. I thot the censure I bore from 
the ministers and the people of Williamsburg was the greatest 
ordeal of my life. Oh, Father, may I choose properly?” he 
prayed. 

“You’re not going to make any mistake,” said Susan. 

At this point Mrs. Brown rushed in exclaiming, “Rev. 
Smith, Rev. Smith, the mob is coming. Andy brought the 
news and hurried back. So I'm doing as you said. I brot 
you word.” 

“Thank you, Mrs. Brown. Will you watch over the 
ladies?” he said, taking his gun and starting out. “Girls, I 
cannot answer the question now, but if I live; I’ll keep my 
word FIJ tell you before the sun goes down.” 

“What’s this, William?” cried Susan abruptly. It was to 
her as if the malefactors had already done their mischief. 
Tho she expected such when she was in Williamsburg, she 
came. Yet, when the danger anticipated was at hand, she 
could not make a stand against it. Her former self now held 
sway. “Is it really the mob? You must not go, they will 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 293 

kill you. You have men scattered all around the place, they’ll 
protect you.” 

“I know they will, Susan; but I’d be a coward to remain 
behind. I must inspire my men. I’m not going off my estate. 
I’m going to wage the battle entirely in self-defense. If the 
enemy doesn’t fire, I’ll not fire. If the enemy does fire,” he 
declared, ‘‘heaven only knows when I’ll stop.” 

‘‘Good bye,” he said, starting out again, but Susan clung 
to him. 

“Oh! William, ah! — ah! William, I could stand your re- 
fusing me, but not to see you any more,” she wept bitterly. 
“Oh ! William, ah — ah,” she sighed. Then she began to laugh 
hysterically. “Thelma, Thelma, you’re not going to let him 
go, are you? Stay, William, stay!” 

“I must go, Susan! The men are waiting for me. Try 
to be calm; see, your nervousness has returned. They’re not 
going to kill me,” he said firmly. 

“Kill you, kill you,” she spoke somewhat wildly. “No, 
no, no, no — ah.” She gave a long sigh. “Don’t kill him, don’t 
kill him, don’t kill him.” Then she fainted in his arms. 

“Mrs. Brown, look after her please,” he said, and placed 
Susan on the settee. “Thelma, you’ll help, too, I know.” 

“Certainly,” she replied. “If she soon becomes composed, 
however, I don’t promise to remain here.” Understanding 
William thoroly, she knew he would stay upon his estate. 
Besides, she believed that his neighbors needed the soft im- 
port of her spirit. She might fail in an amorous interview, but 
not in a public activity. She was resolute. 

“But you must, Thelma,” he spoke with alarm. “You 
must not go out.” 

“I heard you say you were going to remain on the estate ; 
but what’s to be done concerning the other people?” she in- 
quired. 


294 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

“They’ll come here first, Thelma. Stay with Susan and 
Mrs. Brown,” he said, rushing out. 

“As long as possible, anyway,” she replied. “But Wil- 
liam,” she called. He turned and listened. “Give them only 
justice. We don’t get even that.” 

“You may depend upon me,” he remarkt. In an instant 
they heard the door bang. He was en route to face his 
foes. 

While William and Thelma were talking, Mrs. Brown 
went for water and remedies. Within a few minutes, she had 
returned and started to work. Thelma was fanning her friends. 
By applying smelling salts and bathing Susan’s head with 
cold water, they were able to hasten consciousness. At first 
she was perfectly still, save for the heavy breathing. As she 
began to breathe with more ease, she tossed her head from 
side to side and rolled. Then she uttered unintelligible sounds, 
groans and sighs. Not long after this, however, she became 
quiet and then opened her eyes. A few moments later she 
sat up and lookt dazed. 

“Sue, Sue,” said Thelma in the old childish way, “how 
are you?” 

“Has he gone?” she askt pitifully. “Has he gone?” 

“Yes, Susan. He couldn’t stay. The only manly thing 
to do was to meet those scoundrels,” she declared with a 
sympathy that did much to calm her friend. 

“But I fear that they will kill him yet. It would be so 
great a pity to take our best. Generals remain behind in 
their quarters. William should have stayed here,” she said 
slowly, more and more gaining composure. At this point she 
arose. 

“Where are you going,” inquired Thelma. 

Susan lookt at her friend a few moments and said care- 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 295 

lessly, “Oh ! — just to the parlor window. I was wondering 
if I might see — see — William. Do you suppose I could?” 

“I think not from our location,” put in Mrs. Brown. 
“You might try, tho.” This was said more to give the young 
woman satisfaction. 

Susan tried, but in vain. “Well, I suppose I must wait.” 
She went to other windows on that floor, but in each in- 
stance failed to see anyone. Returning to the drawing room, 
she said desperately, “I give it up.” She stretched out on 
the settee. “Is this a quiet place to rest, Mrs. Brown? Of 
course, today I’m allowing for what may occur on the out- 
side.” 

“Yes, it is generally very quiet here. I’d suggest, how- 
ever, that you go to my room. You will be more comfortable,” 
she replied. 

“I have not slept at all for several nights. I was think- 
ing that a little sleep would do me good. If I keep awake, 
I shall become probably more disquieted. For should I feel 
that the mob was very near. I’d be entirely unnerved,” she 
continued. She wanted to throw attention from herself, in 
order that the energies of all the fighting forces could un- 
swervingly be devoted to the one aim — to help the Nation 
maintain the law. 

“Come this way, please,” requested the motherly Mrs. 
Brown. “I'll give you a very mild opiate. When you awake 
I’m sure you will be better. You’ll be yourself once more.” 

“You’re coming with me, aren’t you, Thelma,” inquired 
Susan, somewhat childishly. 

“Yes, I’ll come,” said the friend. 

They all went upstairs to Mrs. Brown’s commodiously 
furnisht room. Susan took the opiate and lay down. Within 
a few moments she was fast asleep. Her rest was quiet. 

As soon as Thelma saw this, she took Mrs. Brown aside 


296 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


and askt, “Are you going to remain here till the men return ?” 
“Yes, be they white or black/’ she replied. 

“Then I must go out to see what’s going on,’’ said 
Thelma. 

“Miss Haskell, the idea! Don’t think of it,” declared 
Mrs. Brown. 

“Mrs. Brown, I must go. Take care of Susan.” In an 
instant she was gone. 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 


Germany has outlawed herself among the nations because 
she has disregarded the sacred obligations of law and has 
made lynchers of her armies. Every mob contributes to 
German lies about the United States, what her most gifted 
liars cannot improve upon by the way of calumny. They 
can at least say that such things can not happen in Germany 
except in times of revolution, when law is swept away. *** 

It can not live where the community does not countenance 
it. — Woodrow Wilson. 

What tlio the field be lost? 

All is not lost; th’inconquerable will, 

And study of revenge, immortal hate, 

And courage never to submit or yield. — Milton. 

When the mob left the courthouse grounds, it proceeded 
very much as would a parade, except for the boisterousness, 
the profanity, and general disorder. There were the spec- 
tators, who stopt their work to look from the doors and win- 
dows of the shops and homes. Cheering of women and 
children, however, was absent, for these were not along the 
line of march, but trailing the column of the chief actors. 
Thus they proceeded until they were quite near to the out- 
skirts of William’s estate. 

As they walkt out of town into the country, they also 
spoke of various things ; but chiefly of being an “orderly mob,” 
of doing a “good job” and getting back to work. Some, how- 
ever \\ere condemning Mr. Pitts and the entire moneyed 
class. 

Tom Howell, on the other hand, reporter of the “Seaton 
Gazette,” as soon as he could maneuver his way to Newton 
Young, began to discuss lynching as a means of keeping the 


297 


298 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


Negro in “his place.” “Well, what do you think of the mob?” 
askt Howell, looking here and there with profound admira- 
tion. 

“Quite a lively bunch, I should say,” Newton Young re- 
plied with evident satisfaction, “very decent and genteel.” 

“Well, they certainly are orderly,” remarkt Howell. “I’ll 
have to congratulate these men and prepare a fine write-up 
for the paper. By the way, I saw a lynching at Hollow Plains 
the other day. It was one of the finest things I ever saw in 
my life. A darkey named Sam Addams was given six months 
for shooting a rabbit on forbidden land. He broke from 
prison and went into some woods.” 

“I wonder how they could be so lax as to let a nigger es- 
cape. It wouldn’t happen down this way,” declared Young 
with great sectional pride. 

“Well, I must go on,” interrupted Howell. “This nigger 
shot the constable and a deputy in his ‘break’ for freedom. 
They succeeded, tho, in wounding the coon. Finally he was 
captured by a posse. 

“When the town learned it they stormed the jail, even 
tho there had been a quick trial and the nigger sentenced to 
hang.” 

“What satisfaction does hanging give, when it comes to 
a nigger,” Young sneered. 

“Well, I’ll tell you, those people knew what to do. A 
crowd of something like two thousand saw it. Of course, 
many of these were women and children. Addams was so 
badly wounded that he couldn’t walk, but not too heavy to be 
carried,” he laught. 

Young was enjoying it immensely. 

“So they carried him gently almost to the very spot where 
he shot those fellows and prepared for him a funeral pyre. 
When this was ready, they chained him to a hickory tree. A 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


299 


short distance away they made another fire with which to 
heat some soldering irons. As soon as these attained red heat, 
two of the men took them out and went for the coon. They 
jabbed these towards his body; as his hands were not tied he 
grabbed hold of them. He soon released them, but not before 
the odor of burning flesh filled the atmosphere. The scent 
was nauseating. For the first time the murderer’s will was 
broken. He was scared to death. He gave away absolutely. 
At once he began to scream hideously. 

‘‘They ran the irons to various parts of his body. The 
rigger continued to grab fiendishly. Then he shriekt so 
mournfully, that for a time the children and women were 
frightened. 

“Did they stay there?” askt Young, now extremely curi- 
ous to seize every detail. 

“Yes, indeed,” said Howell arrogantly. “They remained 
thru the entire scene. Some people say women can’t stand 
to see this and that. Women can stand anything.” At this 
point his attention was called to a little altercation between 
two members of the throng who were to be among the chief 
actors in the contemplated performance. As soon as he had 
adjusted this, he resumed his narrative. “When it seemed 
once that the murderer would get an iron and prob- 
ably hurl it into the crowd, one of the men plunged it into 
the fellow’s eye; the other followed suit. Then the coon did 
shriek and yell. 

“After these few minutes of torture,” he spoke with 
sangfroid, “men piled the wood about him. Then they poured 
coal oil on his feet and trousers, not forgetting to sprinkle some 
on the wood. The nigger begged to be shot or hanged; but 
the men applied the match. Yells and shrieks of scorn and 
derision were hurled at him. The flames, as if in pity, speedily 
singed his hair and destroyed his clothing. The nigger shriekt 


300 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

no more, he didn’t even groan. He writhed and soon he was 
dead. ,, 

'‘Well, I’d like to have seen that,” said Young. 

Thus they talkt until they came within two hundred yards 
of the most outlying farm on William’s estate. Here they 
halted to decide on the leaders and the direction of their at- 
tack. Some wanted to rush ahead, but Luke Crabtree said 
that they should wait; that every man should know his busi- 
ness and nobody be in anyone’s way. After a brief considera- 
tion, they decided upon Bob White, who had always been the 
chief promoter, Silas Jones, and Hugh Granville — all farmers. 
Others of the conference were to help where it was necessary. 
All the remaining members of the mob were to obey these. 
Young, Howell, Sandy James, and Luke Crabtree slunk to 
the rear to keep the women and children back. They planned 
to join the fray later. 

It was at the time the conference began that an outpost 
reported the approach of the mob to Turner, who quickly got 
word to those on William’s farm. He had, in accordance with 
Thelma’s plan, prepared to keep the mob even from setting 
foot on William’s estate. It might mean death to all of them, 
but Thelma had steeled them to do it and they were not going 
to turn back. 

As soon as Turner had sent word to William, he rallied 
those who were to resist the mob. “Do you think we should 
rush out?” inquired Moses Lampkins. 

“Not until I give the signal, fool,” Turner affirmed. 
“But they must know we are here and understand that we 
mean business.” 

“When must I shoot,” askt another. 

“Wait for the signal,” replied Turner impatiently. “And 
when I give it don’t stop.” Then looking about to see if all 
were there, he askt, “Is there anyone here who doesn’t know 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 301 

what he is to do?” He paused a while for an answer. “All 
understand? All right. What’s the slogan?” 

“Rev. Smith shall live, our lives for it!” was the ac- 
claim. 

“Add this to the other! The Negro stands at bay!” he 
remarkt. “Let’s hear you say it.” 

“The Negro stands at bay!” they shouted. 

“Say this and then the other as loud as you can, say 
them thus,” he commanded, and gave the order of the slogans. 

The men responded with vigor, “The Negro stands at 
bay. Reverend Smith shall live, our lives for it.” 

“Once more,” commanded Turner, “and once again.” He 
called for it several times. “They haven’t heard us,” he said, 
for there had come no response of shot or voice. 

“Let’s move on towards them,” said Wendell Hill, who 
now was ready for any venture. 

“There seem to be about a thousand of them,” Jim Lane 
declared with some degree of fear. 

“What, are you afraid?” said Hill, absolutely disgusted 
with Lane. “Take God with you. What does He say? He 
tells us if we take Him along, one man can chase a thousand 
and two can put ten thousand to flight. Do you believe the 
Scriptures?” 

“Every word of it,” replied Lane, now consoled. “If 
God says ‘Go,’ I’ll kill myself trying. I’m ready; let’s go 
ahead.” 

“Some folks say never give the first lick, but Roosevelt 
says, ‘If you see a man going to hit you, strike him first in 
self-defense and when you hit, don’t play with him; put him 
to sleep,’ ” said Turner. “There they stand arguing, making 
up their minds, I suppose. Let’s go nearer,” he continued, 
“and keep up the slogan till they take notice.” 

The mob did soon notice the sounds. All were inquisi- 


302 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

live. The sounds became louder and more distinct, until 
they were very intelligible. What had happened? ‘‘Where 
you coming ?” came a shout from the woods. “You may shoot 
if you wish, but thank God we can shoot, too.” About five 
men appeared behind trees with rifles, which flasht plainly 
before those in front. 

The mob was disconcerted. Some hastened to carry the 
word to the women and children that they should hurry away, 
lest some of them be killed. “The niggers had arms,” they 
said, “and are scattered in the woods. There’s no telling 
what they’ll do.” 

The mob was furious, because it had met opposition; yet 
not so furious that its members could not keep their presence 
of mind. The rifles aimed at the attackers presented the suf- 
ficient reason. Meanwhile, Wendell Hill, who somehow, 
seemed to consider himself the wearer of a charmed life, pro- 
tected by God, and who was therefore foremost, said: “If you 
move another step, you’ll sleep tonight in hell with your 
master. We don’t care to shed any blood, but as surely you 
touch that fence, some of you will go back corpses.” 

“D — n it,” fumed Crabtree and others like him, “this 
comes of waiting so long.” 

“Let’s go after them anyhow? What do I care about 
dying?” shouted a bully. 

“Come on then,” responded the defiant Hill. “If you’re 
seeking a grave, we’ll give you one in double quick time.” 

“Man, don’t be foolish,” urged Crabtree. “What’s the 
use of white men getting killed?” 

The situation is easily understood. Hundreds and thou- 
sands had been wont to murder one helpless individual. There 
was no questions of the attackers being killed, because their 
victim generally was in prison or already deprived of arms 
by the sheriff. Now for the first time the victims were armed 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 303 

and in ambush. How many were there, they did not know. 
Yet they were well aware of the numbers that workt his 
farms and the hosts he had brot to theirs. They began to 
wonder whether all the people were in arms. When a coward 
knows his life is not in danger, he can fight like a devil in- 
carnate. When, however, he thinks that he may be killed, 
likewise his friends, relatives and children, he is less ready 
to take human life. 

While the mob was thus unsettled, automobiles began 
to sound on the crossroad, the clicking of the motors sug- 
gested they were coming at a very rapid rate. Then the horns 
gave a blare which was, being so discordant, instinctively 
construed as an important warning. Heads were turned in 
various directions, to localize the noise and be prepared to 
avoid any calamity. It was not long before the vehicle^ were 
upon them and the faces of the occupants clearly discernible. 
These were their own friends and associates, even members 
of their own race. What did this mean? Why were they 
there? 

The manner of approach had been carefully workt out. 
Nailor, who had been chosen as leader, was in the first car. 
As he was a man of much initiative and great adaptability, 
he modified his plan somewhat. His party was armed to stop 
the mob from carrying out the attack. However, when he 
saw the mob disconcerted, he was convinced that it had al- 
leady met resistance. He inferred this from the conference 
of the group that comprised the chief promoters. The first 
part of his plan was therefore not necessary. Accordingly 
he instructed his men to keep their rifles out of sight, tho 
near them, where they would be readily accessible in case of 
need. 

Nailor then turned to one of the men and said, “Drive 
that car”— the one in which he came— “right into the crowd” 


304 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

With considerable maneuvering and at a very slow speed, this 
instruction was accomplisht. 

When the car was in place, he had Lawyer Jones stand 
in it for the purpose of addressing the crowd. Then he bade 
his associates who were trying to prevent lawlessness to sur- 
round the car. Other persons arranged themselves as they 
wisht. This done, he clapped his hands to get attention. Here 
and there distemper arose; and much swearing, but this he 
did not hear. When he had the attention of the majority, 
he said, “Men, I know some of you’re sick.” 

In different parts of the mob there arose cries of “Shut 

up!” 

Bob White, however, a well meaning individual, who 
took everything he did very seriously, who believed in de- 
manding what he thot was his and was always ready to profit 
by whatever the well-informed had to say, shouted, “Men, 
this is no way to act. We understood this was to be an or- 
derly bunch. Let’s hear what the other fellow has to say — 
that’s my word all the time. When you do that, you don’t 
make no mistakes. When he has finisht and all of us want 
the nigger, we can get him. But you have to count the costs. 
Let’s listen. It ain’t going to do you no harm. Go on, Nailor.” 

The crowd ceased to show signs of being disgruntled. 
Then Nailor said, “Men, I'd like to tell you how I feel, but 
I’m not. I don’t pretend to be a speaker; but I have here a 
man, one we all love, who does a lot of talking every day. 
When people fly up in anger, they need some calm person to 
talk to them. I can’t do it ; what I might say might anger you. 
So I turn this matter over to our distinguisht friend, Lawyer 
Luther Jones. You know him. Hear him.” 

Had Lawyer Jones arisen upon a platform to speak in 
an auditorium, these very persons, who were urged to listen 
would have greeted him with prolonged applause. When the 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 305 

issue was of unparalleled moment they gave him a Chautauqua 
salute. On this occasion all this was absent. They merely 
awaited his utterances in silence. When an individual be- 
comes expectant of an accustomed demonstration and fails 
to get it, even if he is an orator of matchless eminence, he be- 
comes somewhat disconcerted. If he has had long experience, 
he is ready for any mood of his audience. So was Lawyer 
Jones on this occasion. He was not certain of success; but 
he was confident, he was brimful of optimism. 

In this spirit, he approacht his audience, and said, “Gentle- 
men, fellow-citizens, isn’t this a beautiful day? Isn’t it fine 
to have such pretty days here, while rain is falling constantly 
in France. Isn’t it fine to be living at this time, fine to have 
others living about us, while in France each day that passes 
makes hundreds and thousands of widows and orphans? 
Aren't you glad you’re not suffering those things ; that such 
does not exist in America? Aren’t you happy that we are 
not murdering children, violating women, and torturing men? 
Shouldn’t we rejoice that such is not among us? I tell you 
I myself am overjoyed. This is the happiest day of my life.” 

The suggestion carried. They had not listened to Banker 
Pitts, but they were listening now. They began to see what 
their wives and children would suffer, and to wonder if they 
would not be criminal to carry on their premeditated mischief. 

The speaker continued: “Some of you have sons in 
France and want to see them, should they return.” By this 
time a number of the colored farmers, emboldened by Thelma, 
went into the open to hear what was being said. Turning in 
that direction, he saw those gallant men and a stately woman 
among them— all armed. Then he said, “Friends, you want 
to see those ; and I want you to have that pleasure. Notwith- 
standing this natural desire, without thot, as it were, you were 
going to expose your lives, some even to die, to lynch an 


306 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


innocent man. I say to die, because the colored people are 
armed and ready to resist any attack. If you go against them, 
what would be the result? You might probably lose your own 
lives and make many widows and orphans. 

“If Rev. Smith has wronged you, bring a case against 
him in court. I’ll offer my services free to plead your case. 
Besides, you know Judge Randall is a fair man and he will 
give you justice. Consider the urgent request of President 
Wilson, that matchless son of the South. He says, ‘No man 
who loves America, no man who really cares for her fame 
and honor and character, or who is truly loyal to her institu- 
tions, can justify mob action while the courts of justice are 
open and the governments of the States and the Nation are 
ready and able to do their duty.’ 

“At present so far as I can see, this man you would at- 
tack is no enemy, but a friend. You know yourselves that 
you would not send your sons to agricultural schools, tho we 
urged you on many occasions. This man whom you sought 
to destroy, has been and profited. You, too, have profited by 
his going. Because of his minding his own business and 
working his farm successfully for big yields, you wanted to 
know how he obtained his results. Many of you, who now 
would do him a malice, he showed how to increase your dol- 
lars, yet the man who has made your pocketbooks swell, who 
made it possible for you to accomplish more than you have for 
many a day, you would string up and torture. 

“Were you able to get even laborers so easily as you have 
since this man came?” 

The mob was listening very attentively. And as they 
listened, they weighed the speaker’s words and thot strenu- 
ously of the significance of what they were doing. 

. “We arrived somewhat late,” he continued. “We meant 
to end any violence because your victim is innocent and our 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 307 

Country at war. But let us be thankful that those people had 
sense enough to make a stand and prevent the disgrace to 
democracy. 

“We should praise these people. They take many insults 
from us and yet they are always loyal. While on this point, 
let me remind you that what they have done this day is no 
disloyal act; for the law permits a man to defend himself. 

“Do you remember when France was being harassed with 
trip-hammer blows by the Germans, when she was war-weary, 
needing instant relief and we had not time to train our men? 
It was then that the Government called for volunteers to go 
into the breach at once, if necessary, tho she hoped that the 
moral effect of their presence would inspire sufficient endur- 
ance in the French to have them hold out until our men could 
be well seasoned. In that crisis the call came to Camp Wash- 
ington, which received many of our boys. You know the 
story. Those colored boys who went from here, offered their 
services, tho they had been but two weeks in camp. Don’t 
you remember when they passed by? Didn't you cheer them? 
Yes, you did. You honored them then. Honor them now by 
not assaulting their brothers at home.” 

Then he paused a moment, waved his hand to the right. 
This was the signal for Davis to make his appearance. Within 
a few moments, Davis came forward and planted a large 
American flag in the car and stood beside it. Lawyer Jones 
wiped his face during the interval and then continued: “Fel- 
low countrymen, this flag is flying in France. All the world 
is watching it. Will you hold it up? Will you keep it from 
trailing in the dust?” 

“Yes,” they shouted, “stand by the flag!” 

“I wish we could sing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ ” he 
said, thrilled with the greatest throbs of emotion. “Let’s try 


308 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

it. He led off with his beautiful tenor. The people listened 
for a while and then joined in. As they uncovered and sang 
this grand anthem in the grand style, there returned that old 
respect and love for the Nation. 

When they had finisht, he askt, “Will you do something 
for me — repeat a flag salute?” 

“Yes, yes, certainly,” were the replies. 

“Then repeat this: I pledge my allegiance to the flag, 
to do no lawlessness in the land; one Nation, indivisible, with 
liberty and justice for all.” 

They obeyed. All faces were brighter than they had 
been all day. 

“Noble countrymen, I close with an utterance of our gal- 
lant President. I deem it most befitting. He said in making 
his public appeal that mob action cease, ‘We proudly claim 
to be the champion of democracy. If we really are, in deed 
and in truth, let us see to it that we do not discredit our own/ 

“Now let us go to work,” he urged, “and let the world 
know how well we have behaved ourselves. When all the 
rations learn, especially when our own native land learns what 
Seaton has done, multitudes will praise us always.” 

The people turned and orderly went home. 


CHAPTER XXIX. 


Why doth fate that often bestows thousands of souls on 
a conqueror or tyrant, to be the sport of his passions, so often 
deny to the tenderest and most feeling hearts one kindred 
one on which to lavish their affections? Why is it that 
Love must so often sigh in vain for an object, and Hate 
never? — Richter 

When Susan awoke late in the afternoon, she heard a 
noise of mingled voices that seemed to come from the draw- 
ing room. There was so much laughter and hilartiy inter- 
spersed that she was at a loss to fix the cause of it. “They 
are happy,” she thot. “Am I so, too? At least Pm feeling 
very well. How fine it is just to have a sound sleep and not 
to dream !” Raising herself and looking toward the door, she 
saw Mrs. Brown absorbed in a book. She called to mind 
how she enjoyed a good story and desired to remain undis- 
turbed while perusing it. She did not want to interrupt her; 
but more than this, she did long to know what had happened 
while she slept. ‘Til call softly,” she said, for it hurt her to 
disturb the dear lady. “Til call softly. She won’t mind.” 
Susan then lookt away, as if trying to banish the idea; then 
spoke gently, “Mrs. Brown.” The lady did not notice. “Mrs. 
Brown,” she called louder. 

“What is it, Miss Lee?” now was the reply. “Do you 
mind laying your book aside for a moment to talk to me? I 
hate to interrupt you — is the story interesting?” 

“Yes, very, it is Dunbar’s ‘Uncalled.’ Have you read it?” 
she said, and then lookt away somewhat abasht. “How silly 
of me! Of course, you have.” 

“Mrs. Brown,” she broke in, for she did not care at this 


309 


310 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


time to discuss the book. “I’d like to know what has occurred 
today. Why all that hubbub downstairs? Where is Rev. 
Smith? Where is Miss Haskell? She was here when I lay 
down. Why did she go away?” 

“I tried to keep her here for her own sake, Miss Lee. 
When shots are flying, I’d rather be indoors ; but she said she 
had to see for herself what was going on,” was the reply of 
Mrs. Brown, unaware of what emotions might be stirred in 
her hearer, and so unconsciously indifferent. 

“Thelma went out?” said Susan with astonishment, and 
with such sad feeling as marks one’s beholding a calamity. 
“How long did she stay? Did she come back?” 

“Yes, she returned about half an hour ago. She has been 
so busy talking of the affair with the others downstairs, that 
she has become upset, too, I’m afraid. You should have seen 
the big white men from town shaking hands with Rev. Smith ; 
and they askt to be introduced to Miss Haskell. She did 
something for which they were praising her. I don’t know 
as yet what it is.” 

“That’s enough,” replied Susan, leaping from the bed, 
“I must go down and gather up all the details.” With dis- 
patch, she proceeded to dress. “Help me, please, Mrs. Brown,”' 
she requested anxiously, “some day I’ll do as much for you.” 
With all her solicitude and haste, she remembered every article 
with an accuracy and acceleration that caused her assistant 
frequent moments of amazement; for she was comparing the 
Susan of the morning with the Susan of the afternoon. Such 
moods to her were unexplainable ; she tried to analyze the sit- 
uation, but as increased thinking brot only additional complex- 
ly, she soon acknowledged herself baffled. 

While Susan was dressing, the hilarity did not cease, it 
seemed to increase and at times to border on boisterousness. 
These outbursts put her in a reflective mood, which at those 



ii 


I*m glad to see you happy. 


if 


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THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


311 


moments retarded her preparation de toilette. It was not 
long, however, before the task was done. Prepared at last 
to meet her friends, she lost no time in going to the drawing 
room. 

William had wisht that Susan was there to share in the 
jokes and tales that were related. Learning, tho, that she 
was asleep, he would not disturb her. He had told his guests 
to subdue their voices and had practically decided to go out- 
doors ; but the visit of Lawyer Jones, Nailor and Davis, to- 
gether with others who had shown a fine spirit in the affair, 
kept him on the inside. 

When Susan reacht the drawing room, William was on 
the point of going upon the lawn. Indeed many were already 
there. Seeing, however, that Susan had appeared, he became 
promptly aware that he must yet remain within. At once he 
greeted her warmly. 

Susan was thoroly a woman. Keenly discerning in mat- 
ters feminine, she knew that Mrs. Brown had not thot of 
her at all and her ambitions towards William. To be not 
temperamentally, but physically asleep, when your rival is 
on the qui vive, to be forced to step aside, while your competi- 
tor runs, is not in the nature of things desirable food for a 
healthy, mental digestion. Thelma was on the outside, while 
she was securely entrencht within. The idea was not at all 
inspired. What had Thelma done to merit praise? At least 
she had left the house. 

“William,” she said, as soon as they had exchanged greet- 
ings. “I’m so glad to see you. I feared so much that you 
would suffer harm that my nerves were completely unstrung. 
But I’m all right now,” she smiled. “Am I not gay?” she 
askt abruptly. 

“I’m glad to see you happy,” he responded, with keen en- 
joyment. “You must try to keep composed now. Have a 


312 THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 

seat.’’ He offered her the one he had occupied in the morn- 
ing, then seated himself in the one she chose at that time. His 
action was purposed; he wanted not to suggest those strenu- 
ous emotional moments. “ Would you like to go outside ?” he 
requested, thinking that thus the affair would take a new as- 
pect. Already the guests were going out and grouping them- 
selves on the lawn. 

Seeing this, Susan said, “No, I think I prefer to be in 
here right now.” She wanted to talk to him alone and this 
was her opportunity. In a few moments they were left alone, 
save for the lively suggestion of a presence behind the lively 
conversation in progress outside. 

Susan now thot of the task she had to perform and 
wondered how to begin. At length she commenced, not with 
perfect calmness, nor yet with an uneasiness that might cause 
alarm. She thot why she had come, then she mused upon 
the recent events that gave everything a new coloring. “I 
was just wondering what to say first, William,” she uttered in 
a very mellow tone, which attracted one by its very loveli- 
ness. “But I suppose I might as well start at one place as 
another.” 

“Certainly.” 

“Then here I start,” she remarkt playfully. “Tell me, 
sir,” she pointed her finger at him as if reproaching, “tell me, 
sir, all that has occurred since you left me this morning. And 
don’t you dare to omit anything.” 

“May I not omit just one insignificant incident?” he askt 
merrily. 

“No, not one.” 

“Well, this is how it was, to be brief. I had organized 
my helpers to defend this farm ; but never had a chance.” 

“Why was that?” 

“Knowing that I was in a delicate situation and that I 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


313 


might be misunderstood even if I started an attack in self- 
defense, I decided to fight only when my assailants had set 
foot on my property, or had fired upon us. That this might 
be carried out, I had instructed my neighbors not to interfere. 
I believe in remaining within the law. The people, however, 
at my suggestion, were defending their homes. This was 
all they were to do. 

“The plan didn’t work, not because it might have failed. 
It could not ; for we easily could have destroyed them from 
ambush, as they would pass along the lanes. To my displeas- 
ure, the plan was not permitted; for Thelma somehow con, 
vinced them that they should defend me even against my' 
wishes. This they did. I didn’t even see the mob. The report' 
came from some of my neighbors and my white friends who 
had formed a sort of counter mob to uphold the law and keep 
disgrace from the Nation. Before they could get there, how- 
ever, my neighbors had made a stand. Then followed my 
white friends wdio poured in reason and finisht the job. But 
during the speech of Lawyer Jones, Thelma, with some of 
the men, was within hearing distance. Now Fve told you all,” 
he smiled. “Are you satisfied?” As William reviewed the 
events which had just occurred, Susan felt as if she were 
upon the wrack. 

In reply to his question, she said, “Quite, quite.” She 
spoke carelessly and knitted her brow. 

“I tell you that was something wonderful. How proud 
I am of my people! I didn’t want the people to do this, be- 
cause the Nation is at war. Some might have said we were 
stirring up strife. But I tell you I feel happy in that they 
made the stand they did. I even reproacht Thelma, but I 
could not help greatly admiring her courage. She could make 
the people dare, and she braved as much as they.” He did 
not notice the change that had come over Susan. She lookt 


314 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


at the roses upon the table and proceeded to enjoy their frag- 
rance, in an effort to shake off her wretched feeling. 

William now spoke almost absent-mindedly, “When a 
man walks erect people look up to him ; they look down upon 
the man who stoops. And any man respects a person who 
is ready to die for his rights. Are we radical to seek these 
things — life, the right to property and justice in and out 
of the courts? These things were radical seven hundred years 
ago, but not now.” 

“But where is Thelma?” inquired Susan, who had hardly 
heard the latter part of William’s remarks. Her soul was 
permeating the universe to get all possible help to meet a 
jUpreme test. 

“Oh!” said William, collecting himself, “really, I don’t 
know. She said she was going to some of the neighbors, but 
would return very soon.” 

“She’s getting her congratulations, I suppose; but I 
musn’t be jealous. I shall congratulate her, too,” she remarkt 
with difficulty. 

“By the way,” exclaimed William, now that the excite- 
ment had worn off, “Are you hungry? I am. I haven’t had 
a bite since early this morning. You must be hungry, too.” 

“On the contrary, I’m not,” she replied almost monoton- 
ously. 

“Any way, we must have dinner soon. Excuse me a mo- 
ment, please, while I see Mrs. Brown and have everything 
arranged, if she hasn’t already done so.” 

“You’re excused. Don’t be long,” she said plaintively. 

What perplexities confront us! We start and all is gay. 
We utter commands and all the world listens. We say we 
want to live, that we must live, and all the machinery of man 
is shaped to accomplish this end. Why do we have to leave 
this period of rapture and innocence? It is not without some 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 315 

sorrows ; but our wants in the main are satisfied. We live 
as king or queen. 

Soon, however, we become impulsive, indifferent or 
dream dreams. A man or a woman becomes the chief friend, 
we no longer live entirely within ourselves. We need a mate ; 
a mere friend will not suffice. How deficient we are! It was 
not always so ; but so it is now. And often it is a sad truth. 
Where can I find the golden complement of my existence? 
East or West? North or South? Knowing best what is right 
about us, w r e look next door. We see the gold, we adore it, 
we take it even in our hand; but can we have it, now and 
always? That remains for others to say. 

Such were some of the thots that ran thru Susan’s mind 
as she waited for William. When he returned he said, 
“Everything is being prepared. Dinner will be ready within 
half an hour. I was thinking we might meanwhile take a walk. 
Won’t you go?” 

Before she could answer, Thelma had come in. “How 
are you, Susan? I hope you rested well,” she said, friendily 
embracing her. Susan now arose. 

“I slept too well, Thelma. I didn’t even dream,” she re- 
markt seriously. “Accept my congratulations, Thelma. You 
are a brave, brave girl. Will you lend me some of your cour- 
age? I’m afraid I’m as timid as a deer.” 

“You’re just saying that. You could have done it, too,” 
she replied. “You came here after reading what was said in 
the paper. You are just belittling yourself unnecessarily.” 

“I want to go home tonight, William,” said Susan some- 
what abruptly, with a sigh. She lookt at him and then at 
Thelma to glimpse the effect of her remark. 

“Don’t think of it,” replied Thelma. 

“No,” came from William, “It isn’t wise. With the dis- 
turbance which came today, we should have been taught to 


316 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


be cautious. Tho confident that a permanent adjustment has 
been made between my people and those who came this morn- 
ing to work us ruin, we can not afford to be off our guard. 
We’re not looking for trouble, but if it comes, it must not find 
us unprepared. But of course if you insist upon going, we’ll 
see you off. You know, however, that you should avoid ex- 
citement at this time or anything which might give it birth.” 

“Stay here with me,” requested Thelma, “we’ll have a 
jolly good time.” 

“Don’t you see it’s impossible?” Susan said firmly. “I 
believe I must go home tonight, tonight.” 

“I shouldn’t have had you come during this crisis. But 
as you’re here, I wish you wouldn’t hurry away. At least 
you should stay until — we know this storm is over,” urged 
William. “Write a letter or better still, send a telegram. I’ll 
get it off for you at once. Besides, the country is generally 
recommended for persons suffering from nervous strain.” 

“Well, that depends upon the particular country,” she re- 
plied. She arose and started to ask for a pencil. “Let me 
have a — no, I believe I should go.” 

“Susan, I can’t understand you,” Thelma interrupted. 

“You don’t understand? Well, now you shall understand,” 
she said, with sad affection. For a moment she was silent. 
Then she took Thelma by the hand and called, “William, come, 
let us be confidential. Come, join us.” He approacht sus- 
piciously. As he was at her side, she said, “Here we all are, 
whose souls throb for one answer. When, William, will you 
decide?” 

“Would that I had said nothing,” he replied with bitter 
anguish. “Before — the sun — goes — down.” 

“It is far on its decline now,’’ Susan remarkt, “don’t you 
see already the streaks of red and purple?” 

“Don’t, Susan, don’t,” he cried. 


THE IMMEDIATE JEWEL OF HIS SOUL 


317 


Thelma started toward the window. She was beholding 
the sunset. 

“Don’t go, Thelma,” Susan spoke sorrowfully, when her 
friend proceeded to put on her hat. “We must have it out 
Put down your hat, Thelma, and come here just for a mo- 
ment.” Thelma obeyed. When Thelma had come quite close, 
Susan said, “See what maturity brings? Here, William, take 
her. I will not ask you to choose, for you have done so 
already.” She took Thelma’s hand and put it in his. “You 
won him this day. ‘What God hath joined together, let no 
man put asunder.’ Take her in your arms and kiss her sweet- 
ly.” He followed her request. “Now, will you kiss me once? 
You never have. Since I’ll love none but you, wili you do 
that much? May he, Thelma, for he is yours now?” 

“Yes, Susan,” said Thelma, in tears. 

William kissed her gently; for he was thrilled. He got 
the burning message of her soul. 

“Now, I’m going, William,” she affirmed, overwhelmed 
with the burden of her grief. She took her hat and bag. 

“Stay, Susan,” they both cried. 

But Susan left, to ease her troubled breast. 














































































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